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33  WIST  MAM  STMIT 

WnSTH,N.Y.  14SM 

(716)t7a-4S03 


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CIHM 
Microfiche 
Series 
(IMonographs) 


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ICMH 

Collectiorv  de 
inicrQfiches 
(monographies) 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IMicroraproductions  /  instltut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


.  '.^i^'iiki:^ ,.  -. ,,-,  'ili^u:^ 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes  /  Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiqiies 


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L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaicii  qu'il 
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reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une  modification 
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ci-dessous. 


0 

D 
D 
D 
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Coloured  covers/ 
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Pages  discoloured;  stained  or  foxed/ 


Pages  dteolbries,  tachetto  ou  piquees 


0^ 


iges  detached/ 
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n 


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Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

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La  reliure  serrte  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  li 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  interieure 


n 


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II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout4es 
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/ 


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Quality" of  print  varies/ 
Qualite  inigale  de  I'impression 

Continuous  pagination/ 
Pagination  continue 

Includes  index(es)/ 
Comprend  un  (des)  index 

Title  on  header  taken  from:  / 
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I       I  Caption  oi  issue/ 


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Titre  de  depart  de  la  livraison     - 

Masthead/ 

Generique  (pinodiques)  de  la  livraison 


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12X 


16X 


20X 


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The  copy  filmed  here  hes  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  ofi 

National  Library  of  Canada 


the  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
ponsibie  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  vyith  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


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L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reprodiiit  grAce  A  la 
g6n6rosit6  de:  \ 


pibliothdque  natibiuile  du  Canada 


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Las  images  suivantes  ont  6t4  reprodiiites  avec  le 
plUs  grand  soin.  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  netteti  de  l'exemplaire  filmA.  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


V,- 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on" 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
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first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symt^ol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies.        \ 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  cOuverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmto  en  dommenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  termini^t  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  eihpreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustriition,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  ixei^piaires 
originaiix  sont  film68  eA  commen^ant  par  la 
premiAre  page  qui  compoite  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAraipage  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


Un  des  symbores  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUiVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


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Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  bf  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one* exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the^^ 
method:  ^ 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
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'OPULAII  NOVELS 

BY  MAY  AGNES  FLEMING. 

«.^XE  NlfiHT'S  M?ST«Ry 
y— KAT8  DaNTOV.        *"• 

••-HEIH  OFCHARI.IOW 

»*-CAkRiF.D  BY  STORM 

".-LOST  K)R  A  W  OMAN 

I..-A  WIFK'S  TRAGEDY 
iJ—ACHiNGPD  HKART 
M.-PRIDE  AND  PAS^Iov 
•3.-SHARING  MER  CRIMF 
K-AWRMNGEDWIFp**^ 
17— AI A UDE  PERCt  'S  sVcrpt 

'I"*  QVEEV  OF  THK  I«!i  v 
--THE  MIDNIGHT  OUEFv 
•i-EDITH  PEkClvu  - 

«-\VEDl.EDFORP,QUF 

O.  W.  Dilllngliam  Co.,  Publishe„ 
NEW  YORK.  • 


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GUY  EARLSCOURTS 
WIFE.      . 


J  *<»?«A 


MAY  AG1S1ES  FLEMING,     '^ 

AUTHOK  OF 

**A  WONDERTOL  WOMAN,"  ONE  NIOHT'S  MTSllBBT,'' 

"A  TERRIBLE  SECRBT,"   "  51LLNT  AND  TRUE," 

"A  MAD  MARRIAGE,"   *'  LOST  FOR  A  WOMAN,'' 

**THX  ACTR£St»l^UM;OHTER,"  ETC.,  ETC. 


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C-g-NTpNTS." 


PA»T  FIRST/ 

r.- -D«ke  Ifuoo'i  AdTcntvra 
IL— What  Duke  Mawn  aav  and  ha«4  . 
IIL-*-Mr.  Majun  elopiit  ^   ^ 

IV.— In  the  Waiting-room       .         .     ^  ^ 
_    v.— Robert  Hawksley       .  ]      .        . 

VI.— The  dawn  of  the  KourteenWof  Aprf 
VJI.— At  St.  George*%  Hanover  Sqa«(« 
yilL—"  Wnji^ed  dibwn  the  Wind"  . 
IX.— At  lialf-Mooo  Terraot 


— lold  ia  the  Twi^t 


III. 

IV^. 

V,- 

VI.- 

Vll.i 


PART  SlCCOMD. 


"After  Foartaaa  Tc 

-At  MoDtaiien  Priory 

-"  All  night  in  Lyndith 

-Face  to  Face . 

-PoUy*!  Misdeeds       ).        .        .        . 

-Which  treats  of  Love's  \ oang  Di«ui 

-liow.Robert  Ilawktfey  Lent  his  void. 

-Ladf  Chartnris  hears  tfie  tt«tk 

i^lBtrBaimoftteNyirLflr  '^ 

-Tbf  List  Di^ 


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i  ~After  Two  Y«an 
n.-  -The  Rowl  to  Rate  . 
(It-Puiliiu 

V  —At  Bn|>fatoii 
Vl.-In  which  Mm  Lyie  k  diipoMd  of 
Vn,~"  A  New  Way  to  p.,  OW  i>«bti" 
•^II.—"  Camilla's  >iu,i„^  „ 
IX.  —On  Christinas  Ewe 
>C.-"Such  a  Mad  jSlarriapfc,^  ^ 


PART  FOl7RTa 
t— After  !ttx  Yean. 
lt~A  Bdleof  Fi»e 

III.  -  Held  aaander 

■        •        «        . 

IV.— Working  in  the  Dark 
V.-"  Paulina  to  Alice" 
VI .  .-••  For  a  Woman's  Sake" 
>^II.-  -The  Verdirt  of  the  Coroner's  Jv, 
fill  -"  How  Pride  boyrad  awl  Ml'* 
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GUY  EARLSCOURT'S  WIFE. 


••»• 


PART   FIRST. 


3J9 
351 
3M 
3ti 


CHAPTER   L 
ouKil  mason's  advxmiWkb.  ' 

|irKE  MASON  had  lost  his  way. 

There  could  be  no  doubt  alwut  it  As  he  paused  k 
perplexity  and  gazed  arounJ  him,  five  struck  sharp] i» 
from  the  distant  Specknavtn  churches,  rlearl/  )ieard" 
inrough  the  still,  fysty  air,  and  at  5:10  the  express  train  fiom 
London  left  Spt-ckr.aven  station.  Only  ten  minutes  to  spare, 
*nd  completely  lost  and  bewildered,  a  stranger  in  Lincolnshir«i 
and  with  not  a  notion  of  whereabouts  he  might  be  now. 

Mr.  ^1ason  pausetl  wiUi  a  face  of  tlisgust  at  his  own  stupklity, 

•nd  looked  ahou:  him.     Westward  lay  the  fens  and  marshei 

melting  drearily  away  into  the  low  gray  sky ;  eastward  spread 

tte  wide  sea,  a  bl*ak  blast  sweeping  icily  up,  with  all  the  chi? 

•    of  th«  Grmian  Ocean  in  its  breath  ;  and  north  and  soutlfi,  the 

,  <l|M'y  wante  land  stretched  away  treeless,  liouselen,  iin.pi.ah 

■Wffonom  •ntrdesertetT 

tbe  MOQ«hjvas  March,  the  day  the  asth.    Wat  Duke  lUsoa 


i      -  :,r...^,l..^,^SJ.. 


S.  t,  >^  ^"f  i      v^y 


.,     ■,.  -  .',J^"^-'-  ':,:.  yi-iL-'Jd^^'i^M 


10 


^«rff  MaSOJ^s  AlVRlfTtntM. 


^^\-^^n:.^TXl^Ti:^::  '^\  ^\  g-«  on.  as  flat.  a. 

<wentv.fift^  of  March  wemlin? hU  '       ^  f  ^^  '^^'  *"^  «"  tl'"'» 

%fxpresst,ainfor  l^S  and  Ir^"'  ''If  ''^••^"^^'  «^  "^^'^^ 
tafe  so  singular  and  ro^^X^^T^'"'^'-^^''''^^^^^^^^^^ 

ihose  hopelessly  stupM  and  Lol.ih^''"'  ^'  '"^  "'j""^'  ^'°"^  ^^ 
,Tbe  short  March'^dLy"^^^ 

wintry  sun  had  dropp.^d  out  of^thrHo^    lu''^  J^^  y^"°^' 

«nd  sand  hills;  sky  and  sea  3^  ''^'""^  'he fens 

except  whereonelona  vdlot  Hn  ''  °^.'''*  "*'"«  cold  gray, 

.  wnset.  ^  ^*'"°''  ''"'^  westward  marked  the  sombS 

■^i^^^^^^  Mr.  Mason. 

phenc  effects ;  'Mead-coloreLeL  Jhf'      '^  ","  ^"^  ^^'  ^'"'0»- 
-KlulIyeUo.^li„„.er.e°s^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Ine,  m  th«aclSry?an§gLndT;ds  o^^^^^^^^^^    "°''''  ^'^'"8^°"  ^'^« 
etiou.  only  unhapp  Iv  this sorV^f !k-   ^-^^^^  ^^ape  with  admi- 

fjoil^rwWcXVhtTnr^^^^^^^^ 

March  evenme  wiihonf  L  ,"  ^^^"'3'.  at  five  o'clock  of  a  cold 

>a.e  for  .„.  lL:"'\Z:^°l^:ilZ^  5^'  """  '"^I.'- 
"ajr,  and  find  out  if  I  can  «,;,h  ,„,     •         '  "  "^J'  °"  «  ''"'e 

Mr.  MMOn-gaVe,m  contemn      i^"'",*  '°""<'  '°  ">=  "™"" 
He  was  moiinling  the  risin,  »roMn,l ,?  ,  *  ™'"'- 

""The  (IT"  '«r  ,rf  ■="-  "-^^^  """""• 

It  looked  like  the  enc^^f  t  e  wnrM^  a'?  ^u''  ^^''"'«^'^- '' 
up  abruptly  barrinr^rfurtheV  "n      ^ '"S'»  «-one  wall  rose 

gates  frJwned  darkly  on  ^^ib^er^eTnS^h"^  ''''''t^  ^'°"« 
trees  of  a  nark  anil  in  Si^       • .         *^"'^'"  '"^^e  the  wavinc 

chunneys  aLr^pea^ed^'glbl^^^^  t^T  ^'^'.^^  °^  ^^     ' 

^  I)uke  Mason  had  coumSonTerr/n^^^ 
fcht  of  the  March  day  tnd  the  r«r    ^^ '"  *.''^  '''^''  *^  t'^'     * 
habitation,  "a  haun?^\buse  •*  '^'^  ^^'  '^'^'  '"^  ^'  »«^f«t 


5eandho«r,    He  was  perhap,  „  n„,rt«r 


DCtCB  MASOJifS  ADVEtrrURE.  „ 

oui  i^iike  s  skin  turned  to  ••  eoose  flnsh '»  aa  k-  .  j  j 
*o«^.  of  the  awfulTtorie.  h/3  S  .^y^^dn^uISi 
ruansion  among  the  trees.  ywnoer  souuiy 

_  It  w^,  so  deathfully  still-it  was  ike  the  enchanted  cutle  of 
Uie  Sleeping  Beauty,  only  far  mqre  grim,  else  the  luSd^.? 
young  prmce  had  never  sun,moned  up  courage  to  cnte^  h^^ 
Uke  a  huge  mausoleum  ;  no  smoke  curled^p  from  the  lr!2 
J^ted  cjumneys  no  dog  barked,  no  sound  bTt  the  mo^f/3 

tomh'oTtS'  ^^:^:Tj^:^t£x^ 

tellow  could  only  get  .n  there  now  and  see  for  him^f " 
The  young  man  looked  wistfully  at  the  frowning  ^  es,  at  th* 

Snd,.  In  1    r  '■''^r  ^'"^  ^^"^"   ^'^^^''^^r^  brave    bu  n.vTa 

ven^  commonplace  young  man  from  I^ndon.  "" 

Day  after  day  he  had  come  thither  and  sketched  thi.  m,"™ 

«J2.in^Beau.,,W„  .way  ^'i^'JUS  Zt^^:^. 

The  place  was  known  as  Lyndith  Grange,  and    \A  wmm^ 
Thomas  Hood's  Jlauated  House,  Wf  J      ^* 

Two  hundred  odd  year«  ago,  before  this  gray  March  rioM. 

rfc.  a^H    '^  J'*J'".^^"'''^"r  '^^^'^  velvef  doublets  and  dSl 
uXn^J^       '""•'^1-  '^''''.  "^'ghbors  under  the  fifth  rib  for  yc« 
Ultle  provocation,  thc«.  dwelt  in  yonder  silent  mansion  a  fi^ 
2^!      ''\^''  had  brought  home  to  the  Grange  a  ^^e.^^  \ 
ftve  young  bnde.  as  fau-  as  a  lily  and  almost  as  SooZT^  ^ 

ff^Sise'rurg  tl!'!!  I'rrr" '^^  been  siH^nt,  anS  len^ 
i^nT^A^^^l  5^"  "^'"fr  *"**  ^>e  !»•«  bride  was  left 
^«H.r  ^  **''';?•  'J?'  •'^  '^"'  «f  »  fair-haired.  handiZ 
2^;  TiL"^''^"  w#i5xougn  the  ponderouTdrTS?! 
■mmirff  betijiyal.  of  a  fieiy  husband  wt£niag  taOat 


;Mi;.„ 


4 


'•*p-A 


r:  '^''^BitCs'' 


IS 


I>UrB  MASON* S  ADVBfrrUKM, 


wrtA,  offc  dnd  to  the  death  in  one  of  those  oaken  raomik  an* 
01  thehandsomr  cavalier  falling  wiih  a  sword  thi  ust^thrt/oafc 
the  heart  at  the  frantic  latj/s  feet— of  a  mad  woman  shut  ut.  to 
Jhnek  h<:r  rniserable  life  aWay  in  those  same  dismal  rocnis.  and 
of  a  stern  old  general  who  fell  at  the  head  of  his  men.  And  thb 
bir-haired  cavalier,  and  the  lady  with  the  m\6  ttreamins  hav 
uid  woful  face,  haiifUed  (said  the  legend)  Lyndith  Gr&Lt  m 
fi"  present  day.  Ho.  one  lived  hi  the  place  lone,  for  cerUin. 
»lieth«r  ft^wuyhe  ghosts,  or  the  damp,  or  the  lonelineu  ttM 
te;I  f'"  ff^'t^l*^^  things  gradually  fell  to  decay,  and  the 
L..j.dith  family  left  the  Grange  to  the  -at«  and  the  spectres, 
and  Its  own  bad  name,  for  nuny  and  many  a  long  year. 

l<ut  two  years  before  this  especial  evening  uiibn  which  Mr 
Ma«)n  stands  and  ^crutmi/es  it,  the  neighboring  town  of  Speck- 
haven  was  throwii  mto  commotion  by  the  news  that  the  Gran« 
was  occupied  at  last.  * 

Fur.iiiare  had  come  down  from  London—two  servants— a 
hard-teatuied  old  woman,  and  a  stolid  boy,  had  purchased 
thuigs  in  the  town  and  brought  them  to  the  Grange  And  in 
the  silver>  dusk  JPa  May  evening  a  ull  gentlemai.— liark  and 
gnm— ha.1  been  dnven  with  a  slender  lady,  closely  veUed,  to 
the  hauiited  house  fr«Mn  the  S|ieckhaven  station. 

After  l^at,  for  three  or  four  weeks,  no  more  was  known  of 
Oiose  mysterious  |)eople  or  their  doings.  They  were  still  at  the 
Grange,  but  no  one  visited  them  ;  their  very  names  were  ur. 
known,  the  great  gates  were  always  locked  and  bolted,  and  the 
Urd  featured  ol<l  woman  and  stohd  boy  kept  thei>  inaiter't 
•ecrets  well  and  told  no  tales. 

One  stonny  June  night,  as  Dr.  Worth  lat  in  hit  parlor,  in  the 
ppWMn  of  his  faiiiily,  slippered  and  dressing-gowned,  'Jumkins 
his  gr*ls  that  the  work  of  that  day  was  emled,  th.;.-e  came  lu^ 
a  iKundenng  knock  at  the  front  ooor,  and  directly  aAer  luch  a 
t«al  at  the  office  bell,  as  made  the  chief  physician  oi  Si>eck 
tovrn  spring  to  his  feet  and  grind  something  auspiciouily  like  an 
Mth  between  his  teeth.  «»       •-  / 

"  I«'8  a  lady  took  sudden  and  uncommon  ba4"  hit  servant 


tlie 


announced,  "  which   the  ^^ntleman  says  his  caniage  U  U 
door,  and  you're  to  come  imniedute.  if  you  picase/cii. ' 

Df.  Worth  groaned;  the  rain  was  injuring,  the  night  was darl 
ai  tlif  regions  of  I'Hito.  and  his  ten  o'clock  glass  of  punch  iiood 


In  five  oiinutes,  cooteir 


Ui«**  ant«ied,  and  his  bed  all  r«ady  ...  ..,c  «.muies.  cottte« 
and  naried,  he  loined  the  genUeibar  waiting  in  the  p«aM« 
fU  had  ?leclin^  to  ciner,  hi  mi  w.  pawagt 


■Jt' 


fe^^a*lia'!S8£<it?'j;-aS*.^J^-'*^Ir4 


•,l   i,W<3,<Jiijk«^^ll&U 


.***;5:/-: 


DOrR  MASOtf'S  ADVMmUMM. 


V 


K' 


W 
\\ 


t| 


J I  took  a  sharp  look  at  the  fellow,  sir,"  Dr.  Worth  alwari 
Md  when  relaung  this  marvellous  stb./vand  it  was  \  ;iory  he 
•as  ven-  fcnri,  indfed,  of  relating.  "  1  lad  a  sort  of  piesenti 
ment,  if  you  beheve  me,  evf-  then,  ti.aJ  th,.*re  was  somethiiM 
wrong  about  this  sudden  call  N-ne  of'  .ny  latly  patients  weS 
hkeljr  tc  lie  •  took  sudden  and  uncommon  bad.'  You  see  thai 
account  could  only  apply  to  one  interesting  class  of  patirat» 
Mid  I  tcrutinixed  my  gentleman  keenly  as  he  stood  in  thr  pas 
"^**  •  ^*  *^"  broad-brimnietl  hat  was  slouched  over  liis  nof«, 
and  his  overcoat  collar  so  turned  up  that  1  couhl  see  nothing 
bot  a  luxuriant  crop  of»  black  whiskers  and  a  cruelly  aqoiline 
nose."  ^ 

"Who's  the  lady,  sir?"  brusquely  demanded  Dr.  Worth 
*•  No  patient  of  nun?,  I  know.     And  whaf  s  the  mattei  I " 

••tor  H<i?— r's  sake,  don't  stop  to  talk  now  I "  exclaimed 
Bie  gentleman.  "  We've  five  miles  to  go  and  the  road  is  beasUy 
1 11  tell  you  as  we  drive  along." 

The  doctor  hastened  after  him  to  the  carriage— a  handsome 
landau    and  pair— and    the  driver  whirled  them  off  directly 
Only  oncedunng  that,  night  drive,  through  the  pouring  rain  and 
Ukky  darkness,  did  the  stranger  o\ycx\  his  lips. 

"We  are  going  to  i.yndith  (irange ;  and  the  case  is  what  you 
medical  men  call  an  interesting  one,  1  believe.  I  have  only 
one  request  to  niake ;  that  is,  that  you  will  talk  of  this  matxci 
M  htUe  as  possible.  I  wiU  double,  treble,  quadruple  voui 
fee"     And  then  silence  fell  ' 

"And  you  might  have  knocked  me  down  witheot  a  feather 
when  I  hbard  our  destination,"  says  "Dr.  Worth,  when  ne 
tejU  the  story,  and  he  tells  it  to  this  day  w^th  the  greatest  gusto. 
"I  nas  to  visit  the  Lyndith  Grange,  see  the  mvst^rious  lady, 
and  get  my  fee  quadrupled.  Not  s|>eak  of  it,  indeed— J  who 
never  had  an  adventure  in-^my  life.  It  was  teeming,  a  cleai 
case  of  cats  apd  dogs,  but  what  would  a  water-spout  have  i  uU 
tered  now?"  ,"  ^ 

•Diiy  readied  the  Orange— the  ponderous  gates  flew  cpen- 
■Mr  whtfled  up  a  long  avenue  and  «top|.ed.  A  minute  latei 
tod  the  doctor,  at  the  heels  of  his  leader,  was  travcrsini 
Oraughty  corr.dofs  ai|l  endless  suites  of  dreary  rooms.  At  the 
door  of  an  aparunenl,  in  a  long,  chiU  haH,  the  myfterioui 
gendenuin  hatted 


Vonrpanenriih-re,  doctor."  he  said.  in.presBrelyr«lJi 
•U  VOUI  akili  to-night     Reniember.  the  lady  must  kt  s€v*4  /  •' 
Ado  than  he  odd  the  duor  opcas  for  the  doctsi  tp  -mtm. 


i 


J^^^iiAitHit'i 


'M 


ind  gloomy  enough  foTa  Leo,, W     A  ^  '^'2'  ^«  ^'"^"^^ 
one   of  the   tiled  fireolac^^^'?.^^^     ^  '^*'*^  ^'*  burned  ie 

"o.^  «.ri  SaL^%etL:o;  l!.";?  '"'^   ^^^^^f^t^-ed   oW 
4hL  ^^'  "*^'^^8  <"»  ""le  garment*  by  the  wai 

doctor  hfc.  never  once  seen  1 1^  fo ^  r  u  *"  S|H;ckhaven 
b«.vy.  «lken  curtaiV."  shaded  h^r  [n  1  ^"  .P*"*^"^'  '^« 
fece  had  been  pers«L\^  r^L  i  r "  ''''!'"'''  «'°°'"'  *"<*  her 
piUows  P«'*'sftntJy  turnetl  from  hun  and  buried  in  the 

4'S.o:e™lS.Tr;S"H^;r1^|'^^^^  '^^^  n-da  wedd^g. 

"Wd"»  replied  dVwoS;'''^ 
ladv*.  • ..  «lTi         *^\ Worth,  rather  shortly,  •«  it  «  well     Th- 

"  And  she  is  sure  to  live  ?  " 
la^My."^"'  "'  «~™'"  -id  *.  genUonan,  .ngrily  «rf 

"  il'«  «  KirL  »nd  ttkinJ  1   '       ""f  '"'''''  "'"'nee.    Stitt 
««  o«  .hf «.  m,„1ta*f,il"T'^  """''"TV  and  conuart 

"^  aUo,  to  .,».rr«t  e'™d  i^,' "2„'l  M'  """'  -"^ 
find  a  ample.     Mv  man  »iii  a^.  your  fee-- 1  think  you'U 


%-  x^-vM.j'^'^^i' 


BOtE  M4SOJir*3  AlfltEimntM. 


» 


IS 

Amf  jurt  two  weeks  later  the  ny^renons  inhabitant!  of  thi 
Grange  vanished  as  suddenly  and  r^nmgely  as  they  had  cone^ 
and  uie  old  house  was  given  ovet  again  to  the  murderod  cava 
ucr  and  mad  lady. 

For  nearly  two  years,  and  then  again,  as  unexpectedly  aa  b» 
forr,  a  tall  gentleman  came  down  by  the  lA>ndou  train,  bnu 
tag  a  slim,  vriled  lady  and  same  two  servants  »ck.  -Ilig  , 
fentleman  left  the  lady  and  retiuned  by  the  nt^.  tram,  vA 
who  they  might  be,  and  whether  they  were  ♦J.e  same,  a^ 
what  they  could  mean  by  such  unaccountable  goings  on,  all  i^ 
conjecture  m  the  town  of  SiJeckha^en.  This  waTtmp  mon^ 
Vefore  this  twenty-fifth  of  March  on  which  Duke  Mason  standi 
md  gazes,  and  no  one  had  penetrated  the  secret,  or  seen  the 
lady  yet.     Jf  he  only  could  be  the  man. 

He  had  wished  the  same  wish  at  least  a  score  of  times,  and 
nothing  had  come  of  it  ~ 

On  this  evening  Destiny  had  made  up  her  mind  to  let  him 
have  his  way. 

As  he  stood  there  in  the  g;loaming,  he  heard,  for  the  W 
tone,  voices  and  footsteps  within.  His  heart  gave  a  lean. 
The  footsteps  wei«  fast  approaching,  the  voices  tkawing  near, 
carnage-wheels  ground  over  the  gravelled  avenue. 

••  Youll  need  to  drive  fast,  JosepK"  said  a  woman's  voice. 
'You  haven't  ten  minutes  to  get  to  the  sution,  and  it's  as 
much  as  your  place  is  worth  to  keep  the  master  waiting." 

"  I>on't  1  know  that— hang  'em ! "  responded  a  sulky  voice  • 
•*  a  strine  tf  oaths  fit  to  sink  a  ship  if  a  chap's  half  a  quarter  o* 
a  second  behind  time.  1  tell  you  what.  Misses  Grimshaw,  the 
ijjges  is  good,  1  don't  deny,  but  I'll  be  jiggered  if  1  edn  stand 
dus  life  much  longer.     Newgate's  a  pallis  'loncstde  of  it" 

The  soand  of  bolts  mthdratring,  of  a  key  tnrmng  slowly 
in  a  rusty  lock,  warned  the  listener  they  were  about  to  ap- 
pear.  Duke  Mason  darted  behind  one  of  the  huge  buttress « 
es— the  falling  darkness  screening  him  as  welL  He  could 
see  quite  plainly,  himself  unobserved. 

A  heavy-featured  groom  drove  out  in  a  two-wheeled 
chaise,  and  an  elderly,  thin-faced  woman  stood  looktog 
after  him,  and  swinging  a  huge  key. 

"Look  here.  Joseph,"  she' said, "  I  wish  you'd  lock  the  Jate, 
and  take  the  key  with  you  i  I've  the  master's  dinnetloJcet. 


and  7(>ii  KfiOw  how  particular  he  is,  and  it's  nigh  on  a  quarter  of 
a  mi  le's  walk  down  here  from  the  house,  and  it's  nogood  fetch- 
ing  me  down  again  when  you're  coming  back.    Just  lock 


-t..*  ^'M'.X'-k^^ 


iJ&rtaaV^'i;,, 


n 


1 


I6 


tntATDOK^mjsaif  saw  Am  bsaho. 


;^..<.  oa  d,.  .„.«^  Jo.,*,  rtl  ,«..  „d  Uie  d»  u, 
)-j;h  luoM  .,„w1;  "l*S,*:r'^'""'~  "^  ""^ 

CiiimAaw."        '■*"«'"•  "d  "v.  ,,our  old  bone^  Alotho 

b»tHtd''J„°Z'„r*'«'  "'■  ■*'  '^-  »"  n-c  U..  ho™ 


CHAPTER  IL 

WlUT  DV»  IIASOK  SAW  AND  M.aiU,. 

if  the  fair-haired  cavXr  al  Lrl  L^*"!;  "'.?  u'"J^'  '"''*"*«^ 

J^fflLdriiK.    Xhe»  would  be  ^^  i^to  5t""j,  ■>'?«= 


^ii&iaslii,''     .V.-'t.,  .»,«li,,<.,  J    ^..-'si!,  '..i.^i.i: 


WVAT  DtUTB  MASOlf  fAtT  A^D  ITEAItO.  ih 

«  mflf  15  the  house,  l-lve  minutev  sharp  walking  bron^t  hi» 
to  it,  kxMiirig  uj»  a  blacker,  bulkier  shadow  among  the  shadm 
A  long,  lew,  irregular  mansion,  much  inclined  to  run  to  chin 
neys  and  gab.es  and  turrets,  with  small  leaden  casements, 
u«l  Jwo  lanij.%  burning  over  the  portico  entrance.  If  it  had 
been  broad  day,  and  he  could  have  deciphered  anythitM 
iirough  the  ivy,  the  intruder  might  have  read  how  the  huaM 
«■  lal  bern  bu.lt  by  one  Sir  Henry  Lyndith,  in  1552,  when  goo4 
Queen  Bess,  that  first  asserter  of  woman's  rights,  had  ruled 
merry  Rngland  with  a.i  iron  rod. 

The  neglected  grounds  were  entirely  overrun  with  tall  ferns  : 
the  trees  grew  unpTeasanily  close  to  the  small  diamond  pane 
casements. 

Onr  gigantic  elm  spread  its  branches  so  near  that,  swinging 
himself  into  i'4, lower  amis,  Mr.  Mason  could  sit  at  his  ease 
and  stare  through  the  only  lighted  windows  in  the  whole  long 
fayade  of  the  dreary  mansion.  Away  in  the  rear  another  lidit 
glunmered  from  die  kitchen  regions,  ^o  doubt  AJpng  tk 
front,  a  red  glow  shone  from  the  curtainless  and  open  caae- 
raents,  and  more  vividly  interested  than  he  had  ever  been  b 
the  wlKjIe  course  of  hw  life  before,  Duke  Mason  bem  forwa^ 
to  hMsn  and  look. 

"  If  it  were  a  stall  in  th<i  third  row  of  the  Briirfinia,  and 
I  was  waitmg  for  die  curtain  to  nse  on  a  new  drama  of  my  own, 

I  could  not  feel  one  whit  more  breathlesslv  absorbed,"  the 
young   man  thought    - 1  wonder  what  Ro&^-<na  would  say 

II  she  lould  see  me  now  ;  and  I  wonder  how  this  lark  of  mine 
18  gomg  to  end.  Won't  the  feUow  stare  when  he  finds  the  key 
gone  1"  '        ' 

The  picture  Af  ason  saw  was  one  that  haunted  him  in  his  sleep- 
ing and  wakmg  dreams  his  life  long.     A  long  low  room,  oak 
panelled,  oak  iloored,  with  here  and  there  ritA  rags  covering 
IB  8li|»]v;ry   blackness,   failed  tapestry  on  the  walls,  tapesti^ 
jnai^jht  centunes  ^o  by  many  a  fair  Alice  and  Edith  of  the 
Lyndtdi  rare,  massive  furniture,  rickety  with  time,  a  wood-fiie 
llaiing  cheerily  on  the  hearth,  Uie  on. v  cheery  thing  in  the 
apariinfnt,  and  a  littk  cottage  piano  in  a  comer  standing 
open,  with  music  upon  it,  as  if  the  i^erformer  had  but  Utely  left. 
The  piano  was  the  only  m  jdern  innovarion.     The  room  tocA 
fou  baiHi  a  couple  of  centunes,  and  the  cavalier  with  his  poir. 
-acred  toveilocks,hwvelverdoiSb1et,mslac«rnr^ 
rapier,  would  have  looked  a  mi "" 
ypilder  than  a  young  man  qf 


m|k  more  proper  Mntleman  ii 


::-a:^^p^i^i4«'i«t,;^7,^ 


^MaM^jfal^ 


fi 


l«  WBAT  DUKE  MASON  SA  W  AlfC  ITKABIK     '       ' 

00ftt«  mutton-chop  whiskers,  and  the  bainrv  rrr>».h.».^  . 
'en. JO  4»r  to  the  n.a«:uhne  Bn;?^  S'  "~*'^''*  ^"^ 
A  very  changing  bit  of  still  l.fe,  after  Watteau."  th«  rf». 
Ae  toectator;  "a  very  pretty  interior,  indecS     N.,    J'^S 
d«m*ii8  perso^ae  wouW  but  apjH^ar  I  "  '       "* 

^he  though,  had  barely  crossed  his  mind  »hen,  a.  if  i,  >^ 

^  wlav:^;'.;^^  ^^^^  -<* » y-^«  i-i>  cU  :* 

^^e  best-looking  young  woman  I've  seen  th,.  rnun^  :rSun 
Mr.  Mason  was  right— she  was  very  pretty— very  nretrv  in 

«v»y  ,,llo„  hair,  ,ha.  fell  in  a''h,„t;\  r^'.^^Tj 


^  •¥*«  suunf  with  kmt  brows  mto  the  t^^wig  fir»Ugl4.   nil 


/ 


r* 


T«d  tro». 

'  th6u.|;ht 
«,  if  the 

if  it  VjJ 
ujm'  is 

the  mu 

It  Duke, 
nature    •'  . 
of  Sun 

retry  in 
t^at  dark  . 
iision  ol 
r  waist 
lings,  so 
c  lad/ 1 
Pansiao 
r  nude 
«rhethei 
id  were 

iniondt 
ghi  she 
iss,  be 

naible 
he  ret! 

lie  iH) 
nt,  ih« 

eWioi^    ' 

Duke  . 
seems 

tobfl    %* 

same 

pecsc, 


mrAT  DUKR  HASONr  SAW  AfTD  HEAMD. 


>• 


If 


with  a  long,  heartsick  sigh,  she  started,  crossed  the  room  oiice 
or  t*ice,  always  lost  in  deep  and  painful  thought,  tHen  taj 
denly  seated  herself  at  the  piano,  and  began  to  silig.  She  be 
/aiS  very  low  and  plaintively,  but  as  she  sung,  her  voice  Foml 
her  black  eyes  kindPed,  a  flush  passed  over  the  clear,  darii 
pallor  of  I  er  fat  e.  Her  whole  heart  was  in  the  song,  "  Rp^^rU 
th^tu  cfu  adofof"  lx)vingly,  lingeringly,  with  a  sort  of  ira.^ 
aasjupnate  ijitensity,  she  dwelt  on  the  name,  on  tW^  caxeiam 
lt«l)aii  word^  "■  Rohrrto  oh  tu  che  adoro  /"»  A  * 

Then,  niore^idU^nly  than  she  had  sat  down;  die  arose,  hef 
whole  face  working,  and  held  out  her  anns  with  a  suppressed 

•^Robert!"  she  cried,  "oh,  my  Robert  I  my  Robert!  come 
bark  ! ''  , 

Duke  Mason  thrilled  to  the  heart  as  he  watched  that  pa» 
rfionjiie,  despairing  gesture^as  he  heard  that  wild  appeal.  It 
was  tire  okl  coinnionplace  story,  then— so  old,  so  common, 
place,  *«v!"'«l>eakably  pathetic  always— "crossed  in  love"  at 
the  house.nards  call  it.  This  beautiful  and  mysterious  'fiiiry 
princes^  'ihpr.aoned  here  had  a  lovft-  iri  the  background,  just 
like  ordmary^  young  i)ersons,  and  a  flirtty-hearted  parent  ot 
guardian  hkd  shut  her  up  here,  pending  s^  time  as  she  should 
pome  to  her  senses*^  ^ 

Just  ai  fhat  instai^t  thej:«>id  roll  of  wheels  oiitsi^^  told  Duke 
th^  chaise  was  returning.  Aa  instant  laterv  and  th» gates  wer« 
flupg  wide  open,  and  the  "chaise  whu^led  rapiidly  up  the  dri/e  to 
th^  house.  -^  «' 

"  I  wonder  wh;jt  he  thought  when  he  found  t|ie^ey  goue  I" 
reflected  Mr.  Mason  with  a  chuckle. 

The  chaise  stopped  before  the  |>ortico  entiance,  and,  by  the'/ 
Uglit  of  ihe  lamps,  the  watcher  in  the  tree  saw  a  tall  man  sprW 
ovt,  say  a  few  words  rapidly  and  authoriutively,  as  one  accni? 
Uwn-d  to  command,  and  disappear  into  the  house.    The  «£- 
uge  was  driven  round  to  tl:e  rear,  and  silence  fell  upon 
Jraiige 

1  he  >oung  lady  in  thf  lighted  room  rod  neard,  and  aec^  tqa 
IVhen  Duke  looked  again,  her  whole  attitude  had  changed  Site 
«oo,l  erect,  her  little  figure  seeming  to  dilate  and  Vow/toll,  her 
kead  thrown  backi  her  great  eyes  alight,  her  small  hands  taelttlf 
clenched.  .       .  "^  7~-  -^6— v 


"*f  I  -ike  a  VWe  gamecock  ruffling  his  feathers  for  ^e  combat," 
Aought  the  watcher.  "1  wonder  if  this  is  Robert^  now  I  Not 
ikety  though,  or  she  wooldn't  looa  qmte  |K>  belligerent" 


mov 


1  &)rA»j*v,V«1r^ 


■»•• 


••      *wr  oma  m^soa  .u^  ^„o  jnjfa.        ' 

Hj  whirled  up  the  tuiJi  rhli    7  ^T      ^  '*'**  *««''»  *«<»'' 

»"■  licad,  looked  hAlf  contempiuoQslf  h»lf  **"  '**  ''*'  *^'' 

the  ngid  figure  of  the^irl  ^'  »^if  «m,p.  «wnatdy,  at 

for  Heaven's  sake.  -a4.//  let  .     h^ve^nv  t*"  fe'^""'"r  i  "and. 
ir-s  al»  v«r>  well  on  the  bokni^nfr^    '«.'?  ''*^'^*'y  »*^">KhL 

Grange,  and'the  ra"''an|C  Z^^J^d^ln  ''"r  "^  '^>'"^'^ 
gu  .e^pre^.,  -  i^ste.  eo  relTanr.etnln^r;.^^' 

than  ever  with  cxc.fe,„enTand  de^nc?  tK  T^.  '"f ''« 
upon  them  both— a  very  stnkma  «i^?  *"  ^"'•'«'"  "^'^^^ 

«d  «Wes8  and  hK>se  goldTn  haf.  Sn*  h     *" '  ?"  J^  t^"*^''  ^^^^ 
•nd  ptcm.  powerful  face      T?  *"  "'*" '  hlack.^.mkbr&, 

jc«  both  u^t  t;Jk^the  J'rthr«i:is="*;^^^^ 

Ac  man's  iron  wm  A^^:^li^Z'T^M^  "' 
noned  eyes.  ^  "*  ^flran^mr(as 

^«4  her  voice  died  away.  ^        *  ^*'^'  *'P»  '«in 

-•^-  ~  -^ked  at  her  with  a  sneering  smfle. 

Miwlate^  means  Robert  Lisle  is  gone,  and  lAm 
rare LXi'  ''"^  ""^f  '°  *""^^  »«^^  -^it? 


Yon  wiU  ««♦  "■""»"•  upon  us,  rarely  comes  to  as* 
yon  wi»  pot  yieidT    May  j  ^^  ^|^,  |&u  ^^^ 


"nf^-V.-^r 


■■■''-#i^'**'^ 


wi!».73«vn  :^^,i,- 


■•W  'Tv?>W-<T 


Hr 


'# 


M^At  DVttM  M4S0.V  SAHr  aMT^  MmmMP. 


91 


%,  % 


You  shall  hear,  Uncle  (»eoiire>."  looking  an.  Kim  with  » 

?  B'l?*'*  ''*''•*  *"  **"  ***'*•  *''l*'«^  «>'«•     "  Vt-u  know  the 

..t^nck  Pool  over   yonder  among  t|ic  firs  ?     Well,  somedraea 

»«^en  I  renirmber  all  that  is  past,  of  all  that  is  coming,  I  jun 

Uunk  1  mlJ  go  down  there,  and  ilirow  myself  in,  and  irake  tft 

.  Kid  of  it"  --  ^ 

The  gentlernan  sKnigged  hU  shoulders,  tlie  sneetrng  niiU 
atiU  on  hw  face.  f 

"  Indeed  I     Thai  sensational  idea  I  am  quite  sure  aucet 
tway  very  quickly.    .  And  then  ?  " 

The  girl  loo'-sd  away^  from  him  into  the  fire. 
^Yoo  are  harjl<rthir.  stone,  ha^cr  than  iron,  Geoftey  Kyh 
nHb.     Yon  have  neither  heart  nor  conscience." 

*t  My  dear  Olivia,"  Mr.  Lvndith  said,  still  smiling,   "  dmj'i 
oe  violent,  and,  don't   vesort  to  vituptration— it's    always   a 
woman's  resource  when  worsted,  and  |K)or  thing*,  how  easily 
they  are  worsted  in  any  controversy  whatever.     Ye^j  |  dare  sat 
I  s*fcn  hard  to  you,  my  [Kior  Livey,  hut  you  must  recollect  wc 
Lyudiths  are  a.  hard  race,  from  old  Sir  MaUse,  who  fiin  the 
young  cavalier  through  the  body,  in  this  very  rqom,  i  believe^ 
My  Ute  lamented  brother,  your  fainer,  was  a  hard  man,  and  tf  ' 
ron  didn't  inherit  a  little  of  the  traditional  hardness,  my  teva 
you  wouldn't  lehel.and  |>ersist  in  rebeUion  in  this  obstinaM 
bshion.     And  you  know,  my  child,  you  owe  us  some  reuaratioi  * 
for  the  disgrace  of  the  past" 

"Disgrace!"  repeated  the  girl,  with  Sullen  anger;  "n»i  1 
neejj  t  use  that  word  quite  so  often,  I  think.  11?  w/  matr*  * 
bir  Vane  Charteris,  if  ihaf  s  what  you  mean.  I'U  hot  I  1  U  die  '^' 
nrtt  I  *,-• 

Still  Mk  i.yndiih  looke^.  at  her,  as  a  man  might  Vook  at  a 
heaUstrong  child,  resisting  with  all  its  small  might 

"You'll  die  tirst  I  My  |i«jor  little  romantic  l.ivey  I  It'i  §$ 
ttsy  to  say  that— so  very  hard  U)  do.  Tiie  heroines  <,or  tott 
fcvonie  threevolume  novels  die  u|>on  the  smallest  provocatioii, 
I  am  aware— Hl.op  quite  nattirally  of  heart-ijisease  in  the  mid« 
•la  l»all-room,  or  go  off  with  a  hect-c  flush  uiwn  their  cbe^ka 
tod  in  unnatural  lustre  in  their  eyes,  when  their  Charirws  at 
fceu  Roberts  desert  them.  Kut  we  don't  do  that  in  even  day 
flfc.  and  you  come  of  such  an  unromantically  healthy  and  lon» 
uved  race,  rov  Oiivia^murh  qiore  hkely  to  finish  with  ap6plen 

S^JP"*  Siy ./^'^  hcartdiseiuK'y  OKiediiier    And  i"don4  — 
toBk  you'U^kUl  yoursell     Life  is  very  sweet  to  yoona  p 
•i  nuMtes^  cveM  tlmigh  thejr  hcva  loal  Hwir  tL^bm-J' 


■'*■■ : 


T— ^ 


■-"fk 


.4: 


%  >.■.■.» 


TV 


"■.It" 


■  "-JR. 


^         WHAT  DtnrB  MAS6ir  SAW  AHD  BEAM 

ever  lived.     You  •arm,*&Z^! T^.  ""'«''°«  »"="«  «« 
*»!>»»  M  .r~  have  done  r "     ""*"''"»«•»»<•  anren  me  to 

•»7  even  n,,  paSnc.  I^'fo?^;:^  '•J'Ae''^*',  "2 
aot  force  you  to  obey  I"         ,       »^*rancei     lake  care  I  do 
**  Vou  caiinot  I "  * 

il  h»ni  ?  "  "«'^Kynian  down  here,  and  niarrring  you  oat 

«;No  dergyma.  would  iierfonn  «,ch  «  mamWe.- 
fcnr  I??  Reverend  George  U>«his  would.     fU^we.  m.  hi.  n.      ' 
5^  *nd  he  underttands  this  case  exaX  wld  kl!! T  ^  ^ 


■mI»»iii-rLi,     ^..   "^*^"  hM  not  rf turned  hit  th>i  ZZ: 
"»"^  *«e  «kin.  ud  v^wn  of  ymn  will  «hI     V«»w4 


■■/;.:/ 


1 


>    .    V 1'.  .W'i'i 


T  -'«■»;?  If.  V  T^.'^-f^S.j-'TV 


JAT.  MASHif  Sk.OMS. 


H 


,  Kke  Sir  Vane— women  always,  like  their  husoands  after  oiai 
page,  3fOU  know,  and  1  dare  say  you'll  be  a  very  sensible  wife, 
%t  wives  go.  yet.  Vm  going  down  to  dmrcr  now."  lie  pulled 
m\  his  watch.     ♦•  Will  you  take  my  arm,  Miss  Lynditli?" 

•♦  No,  i  want  no  dinner." 

"As  you  please.  Think  matters  over,  my  dear,  and,  ibi 
^ty's  sake,  </9  try  to  be  calm,  and  drop  meloilrama.  Give  m 
^1  promise,  and  1  will  fetch  you  back  to  town  to  momm 
We  Lyndiths  always  keep  our  word." 

He  left  the  room  as  he  siMjke.  The  girl  crossed  to  the  win 
dow,  wringing  her  hands  in  frantic,  helpless,  despairing  appeal 

'•Oh  ! "  she  cried,  "is  there  no  help  in  all  heaven  and  eartli 
for  me  ?  " 

She  was  standing  close  by  one  of  the  windows,  and  the  pas 
SHWate  prayer  was  scarcely  uttered  before  it  was  answered. 

A  man  leaped  out  from  the  elm-tree — a  man's  face  looked 
It  her  thr<^gh  the  glass-^a  man's  voice  spoke. 

"  Don't  be  alarmed,*'  said  the  voice,  as  the  man  pulled  o0 
his  hat     "  rU  help  you,  if  you'll  only  tcU  me  how  I " 


•J  I 


^  f% 


.4 


»' 
^ 


CHAPTER  IIL 


MR.   MASOir  KLOPBS. 


HE  young  girl  reco'led,  as  ^e  mj  well  m'ght  fitte 
so  unexpected  an  apparition,  and  gaxed  at  ^e  lUiB 
ger  with  large,  frightened  eyes. 

"Don't  be  aiariii^pd,  madame,"  Mr.  Mimo  n 
p«[  <*  with  the  greatest  respect ;  "  1  am  a  friend,  if  yoo 
will  x^rmit  me  to  say  so.  An  hour  ago,  chancing  to  pass  youi 
gates,  and  finding  them,  for  a  wonder,  unlocked,  ctthbat* 
proin>wed  me  to  enter.  1  concealed  myself  in  yonder  tr«S^ 
quite  vmpardcnable  on  my  jpart,  I  know ;  but,  agaia  ttnw^ 
curuMity  must  plead  my  excuse.  And  in  that  tree  I  must  owm 
„^Iplayed  eavesdropuer. — Lhave  ovwrhearH  *vi.ry  «,»rH  ^f  ytwi 
^:oonverMrion  with  the  genleman  who  has  jiist  left  this  room. 
It  kM>lEa  rather  suspicious,  apparently,  I  own;  but  nabf  tiM 
tOQVOTNUion,  the  whole  occurrence  has  been  so  strange,  so  oH 


,^ii&^^^Ait^le}j&miL  h.^mJ/i , 


,1'  fi 


*».  «A<i6.v  Mtofas. 


r 


"  •  nilt,  di.ln'.  in  ,he  lew  shall ,  ""  ""'  '""g-TOded 

»e.w.  breaking  fortJu™'J"^'°'?"''^"*'"'"- "<*'"'  •>« 

•till  doubtful        ^  ''  "^  '«''«''  «  hi".!,  sliU  suprW 

■lO  business  wj  e,„  ;„  ,hT        """^-  '  ''»""■  ""^  !>.« 

whe,e, ..'.  c^'"^°?4'„r.r,'SJ^:;' "«- '  "■^'' 

J^u  may  plc«e  to  name"  '  '^  ^'''P  »"«» *"  •"V  w., 

^  face,  /ioor  ^DukVl'a  :1^!,  'ralU  ha'".""*  'i"  »^  ^ 
ey«s  were  of  the  palest,  n.ostTns.p  d  k  v  "^J"  ""^  ^<^  Hi* 
*!CKlcd  snub,  his  whiskers  werrs  arse  /nH  '"'  "^  ''*''  » 
*  vanety  of  pale-yellow  anTTln  1  r  !f'  .  7F"^  *°  ^^"'P  "I'  i»i 
sven  himself.     The  ..0^1  !2  .  ."^   ""^^''^'  thai^  sun  rU 

«e  hfe  of  her  n.ate  Hero  „"  M^r ' , '^.'"t"  «*'«  <^""W  n.,?fa 
««  school  girl  of  them  all  n.th^h?"*^"'"'  ^''^^"  ^»'  ^^e  «S 

forlorn  tails,  and  followed  hun  hon^  frl?  k''"*^'  ''*««''^  *«^ 

5«ne  lohimand  cle,uancled7enmrJ,ri .     n^^"'  '^^^ 
tottchinc  to  see,  on  a  fi^^,  j'."'"*"^"  »  confident  aMoranccL 

•W  fdlow  I  "•  before  diivhln  t^'^1'  ^  ^^  ' "  «d  -  Duk^T 


/. 

,-.1 
■.»•„.*'■> 


i*-J«^*^k-  >«  )!*'tK'^"*''t*^'* 


^  ^'^   -Ju^£i 


f  '*}•  t  • 


"%: 


tat.  MASON  SLOPBX 


ii 


halfopen  window.     The  moon  rising  now  gieamed  forth  bom 
A  bank  of  jagged  clouds,  an«J  silvered  the  sweet,  pale  face. 

«•  Will  you  help  me  to  escajw!  ? "  she  whispered,  earnestly. 
'*I  am  a  prisoner  here — I  hatre  been  for  the  last  two  months. 
My  uncle  is  my  guardian,  and  he  wants  nie  to  marry  a  man  1 
iMte— 1  HAFfc  ! "  she  set  her  little  teeth,  and  the  big,  black  ey«i 
iiAxA.  "  I  will  run  away  to-night,  if  you  will  help  me." 
**  I  will  help  you.  Tell  me  what  I  am  to  do  ?  " 
••  How  di<i  yuu  say  you  got  in  i  The  gates  are  always  locked 
and  bolted."  ^ 

*•  l*hey  were  not  this  evening.  The  servant  who  drove  to 
Ae  station  thought  it  too  much  trouble  to  d^'scend  and  lock 
^them  after  him.  .  It  api tears  he  is  in  the  habit  of  leaving  ihera 
anfastened,  and  no  hahn  has  ever  come  of  it  1  was  in  hid- 
ing ;  the  moment  he  left  I  drew  the  key  from  the  lock— here  it 
is  -and  came  in.  I  don't  know  what  he  said  or  did,  I'm  sure, 
when  he  came  back  and  found  it  gone." 

"Then  there  is  nothing  u>  prevent  my  escaping.     Oh,  thank 
Keayen  •  1  believe  1  should  go  mad  if  kept  another  week  here. 
But  it  is  so  much  to  ask  of  you,  a  stranger,  to  do  what  1  want" 
*•  Not  one  whit  too  much.     Please  don't  think  of  me,    Whal 
am  I  to  do  ?  " 
The  girl  gianqed  anxiously  over  her  shoulder. 
"  If  you  are  seen   1   don't  know  what  may  happen.     Mr. 
Lyndith  is,— oh !  an  awful  man  I  and  he  will  return  here  di- 
rectly.    He  is  going  to  stay  all  night,  and  the  doors  and  win- 
Jows  will  be  made  fast  in  an  hour.     If  I  get  away  at  all  it  will 
be  midnight  fully  before  I  dare  venture,     i*  nd  m  the  mean- 
time— "     She  looked  at  him  more  anxiously. 

"Yes.  Miss  l.yndith.     1  beg^your  pardon,  but  I  heard  >Im> 
eill  you  that,  you  know." 
"My  name  is  Olivia  I.yndith.     But  between  this  and  nid 

Ug)* t~ and  it i,i  tnf y  seven  o'clock  now,  oh,  Mr. " 

**  Mason,  Miss  l.yndith." 

*  Mr.  Niuon,  how  will  you  manage  ?  These  March  nights 
•w  io  cold,  and  five  Icng,  lonely,  freezing  hours  I  No,  it  it 
koo  moch  I "  *  . 

She  clasped  her  hands  and  looked  at  him  in  despair.  Duke 
aniied. 

"  PleaiMt  ^/^ink  of  nie.  Miss  Lyndith. 
d  the  ple«.ure  m  Uiei     1  don't  mind  it — upon  my  word  and 
honoi  I  don't  I     1  like  it — yes  1  do — it's  an  adventure,  ywi  see^ 
•imI  1  ««r«r  had  an  advwinu^  before  in  the  whole  cmme  cd 


X 


'^'^ 


a6 


MR  MASON  KLOfBS. 


y  "7  enitenoe.  '  I  will  vo  ha  ir  ^ 

tii^jout?"  ^"-     ^>' '  **k  tow  you  propo^T  fce? 

.      "irough  this  window     OM  h«    u-  ^  . 

«»M'  yo"  My  P "       J"™!*  ™"-     And  you  have  the  ^^  ^^ 

»^^>fore  .hey  rj  I'h'SL""''''''^  ^"A-"  "~.S^  fa 
<  wonSer  Ae'thtghJ^"  ""'^     "  '"  *obcr.  in  P»ri^ 

She  spraijg  back  fiom  the  wi„H„       r.  ,    *'y°'Klei«ncs,|» 

•8«of  men,  f  notice  are  aoT^H      ?""'?."'•  "  "•«  most  ii 
■nic  young  \ud,  hid"|,*JJ'  "^Vt't^t""'  <■*"«  '»• 

fou  didn't  dine  :  M r»  S  ?''^'?-^on't,  '  beg  ;  J  ,»,  .,^ 
doub,"  the.  Jul  ^'J^^'iitdy  ™"f^j  '^"^  «-ngc  VTJuTS 

**«/  J>ng,  and  theUd^.2J-^\-'r'T  "<^ '^cJSSuS 
8"^«  a  ?Mtn  the  honoia:"  *^"'"^'>'  *»^^^  <£«uUy  cnouSI^     ' 

.m^iimsic^o^ghy'''°'^°°'^^^3^«r_-^NorI«i^^^^ 


L^f 


f«  ;^^  i4^*s.*fcf  .»  *•>. 


J'*    ,-  4  J  !A*  AiJS 


^•r^^pPh^rr 


MU.  MASON  Mi:6fMS, 


Com 


"A.  the  pronuKd  wife  of  Sir  \ntCbMmMf' 
"Bill,  Olivia—" 

'^o:e"^'C-S:s.T\";  s:^  -j.-e '»-  *.  ...4,. 

piopose."  ne  cned.     "1  luve   something  u 

already  far  a  W  b  f^e  uTper    :S„.l:^"*^^^  T'  «'^*"'«' 

«-Vforge.  tharfet:rde*ad':fre"'  K.^^^^     ^<1  «t- 
.tonny  Ailannc,  he  is  «  n.^^h  n  m/^ai  as  he^rr*^"'  *' 
ago  here  in  Kndand     The  rh.W  i.         i  **  "^^'^  y**" 

come  to  tennsU  //.  sake  Yel  I  '^  '**'  ^^"rce-she  wiU 
she  will  promise  anvthi^J^^^r  )L^  ""u  K'^*'  **«'  ^«^  ^hUd; 
the  offer  to-mo^ow*a^d"»„7th?'7*"^^u''«-.  ''"  ""^^  «« 
possession  oTw'  Chart?!  ^j"'"*'  ^"''"T  ^"«=  '^ 
come  to  an  end,  my  lad? ''  ^*'"'  **"  '^^  ^*P*»"  '^ 

l^ese  r"efr:s.reTs  uShtle''^^^^^  '"*'»   H^ 

iHwu.  then  ordered  cand^-  and  .iSlH      f  '^^  "f*""^  ^'  " 
-»•«  light  shone  in  an  uuoAr  In^'        'ir   ^  """"'«  »«errand 

S^   toM  iLT»Sr^  won  t  bnng  nothing  back,  mUit?    J 
>!S1  ,-^3  '  tell  you. L  left  it  in  the  keirlmir     i  ^l*  _ 


•  Ai-.  i^  iiiJ.  ^.  ^Jll-wtt  KT*."^ 


♦' 


A'Af-.'wwAi.iia^'^t^-f*  fi^-'^'^'% 


^.e.H»..y,.^^  > 


■  ^   j.'J   i  -ti 


^i  jj'jtin  v^llSifl^j^'         :^w    < 


i^  *'v^^.^ 


■  ■•  f^T^^'^^i^^^ 


\ 


Aau  men   the  window  was  close<J  ntK  ,  k 
•nd  the  seivanti  left  the  roJn.  a^    ^     t  '^"«'  ""'*  ««^'e< 

%  tree.      .  wmsoic  Mr.  Mason  on  ms  pcrdi  ia 

jiMeph  slouched  down  to  th*.  «»-       ^ 
^^  cio«ed  for  the  nj    T^^  ^^.  «^-nied,  and  th6  Ia.1 
.     ^  *n  bo«r  ionKer   then  aH  I   "TJ'K*'»»  '^dncru,.  abme  fo, 
Ae  nlende  and  Snesroflir^^  """^"'^^  '^^l^l-d  2 

"  was  now  close  ui>on  ten  o'clnrlr  tu^  i  j  .- 
was  saiUng  ,il.ery  up'the  s^eepb^eslcv  n  f  K^  ^'*'"^  •""<>' 
Duke  looked  at  h.s  watch.  Ten  1  tJA  ^^,  I*'  ''"'">'  ''«^» 
wait,  ,n  cold  and  lonel.nesi  and  in  a  I  °  "?"*'  *'"""  ^^  to 
•«y  here  till  ".Hln,ght~a^J  jl^?  ,*  *'?""'*^*'  I'*'"^ '  "*  mwl 
««ved  traduions.  the  gory  Khc^j/""'  "r"!,^'"'  ^«  "^l.^^- 
*c  shnekmg  iadyAn.g^l'^r^i^^  ^^^  J'"';^«^«i  cavalier.  a„d 
«n  an  appearance  at  all  '  "  •  ^''J'  intended  to  put 

t^  was  quae  diifereTv *.  ^l"^"  "'"'^'^  ""^  *»>«"t  u„  J, 
.     'f^ut  yourself  m  4ii8  place  "nn  .  h---        » 
>n  •  grav-yard,  say  „oi  reTrted  to  ll  K    '  "**/  **^**"'*  ««^. 
every  glea.„  of  moinlight  Ln"  a  ^W  Z"'"^^'  '"'"^  *"*^  «*^  ^ 
the  unearthly  rattle  of  skeleton  iSS  "^  ^'^'"'^  '""«'»  «^  '^ 

nev«L'i;t-:k?;^ret'l^'*^^^  "to  think  that  I.  wh. 
«»ost  fellows,  for  any  t'.^  JivrS^uTd  "^"'^  *"  "V'^^'  '*« 
young  person  I  never  laid  eve,  ««  ^  *^°'"*  *<»  this  for  a 
^rs.  To  think  thTt  I^ who l^ev^r  """'  '"V**"  ^'^'^  '"»  twj 
•houhl  be  going  to  eow-^V  .nH  K*^  '"  '°*"^  '"  "'X  lif*. 
whatwAo^innaty^fsl'co^^^^^^  <i.r«at  poie^*^ 

And  Duke  wane.!      On-  k  .  **^  ""^  "o*  •"' 

**li>iare  ;  rwl^tt  c?yl'lL.rn ''"^  ""nutes-told  off  on  hi, 
IjigKtly  burned  the  frost7«i"Tl  J^?  7  '^'  »*"T^'«^  '^r^ 
Ac  watcher  grew^riuiXn  Ji,  "j  f '"^'^  ^'"'"  ''«aJ  to  fiiit 
wailed  and  fnoaned  S^^i^^d  JJ«!i  i;*^"?"^"*- ™^  ""^^'tb^ 
•lencehe  could  hear  tS^H^wi  ?^»^  l^*^  ^''•^*^»J  '"  the  de^ 

-rawtl  ofr  iL'rtTtr  ^S^i'^  ^^-  ^-^^  "-tiou.  wn* 

•a  brainpij  and  V^  ,  w  I  l!;j"r ^  ^"•t ^pving.™ 

jWCtwd.     V,>j  thcw   ii,„  fSu^T^  !^^  g'^;  ami  AIL 


1  ~'i>     ' 


*e  window,  and  dr^  hen^f  .rS^^'^u'*""  *°  "'«^"«.  <>?«««< 
lenUr  down  bcS^c  .hl^?  '"f/'^^h  ^'  '"^^^  '"^'^  ^ 

cuwJ  by  massive  bolts.     D^TJ!^^^     TTie  «atc  were  m 
««^on  a^  „.oonht  hUrollSl?::^^  *"^  ^^^ 

.  She  took  h„  actn  4^  and  Jiev  h.  "?"  «°.^''  *«^ 
citeineni  lent  them  sTrenith  and  L^"^/*'"^'^  ""^  E» 
ever  walked  in  their  iv^.^n  Ti'^'^r***^'^*'*'  "««her  had 
dead  silen,  by  the  wlv-lLi  «  '^  .^"^  "^^  "'K''^  ^^^X  wew 
iike  a  JeamLu^l.^iang'r^adT/n'^;^^^^ 
•n^Ch.,  weird,  midn.gh'f  rul^ay  ^  *«^  o»  ki. 

a  dream."  *^       oreaktest,    he  lhough^  "and  find  all  thif 

he.  black  eye.  l«o.«i  „S"n  .S^      V,"""'*"'  ««  ■«»; 


vr-' 


%v. 


^v- 


■i!flfe*#^ 


''^- A  ^rJiSfj!  •>'•  iiSlV->'J*A 


'm^ 


^^ 


:t 


90  UK.  MASON  SLOPES. 

J^^  rewhed  the  town   as  t^e  Sneckh.*^  -i    i^  » 
£*inf  the  quiver  itfter  midnight  ^^^  S^"^ 
M*t--H«lemnly  .till-white  «nd*coId     liev  h  J?.?!^*! 

Mae  noi.  and  -ieepy  ilel  «^cd\t  2"*"  °'  7°  o^ciaK  wilfc 
<nun  for  Ix>ndon  wm  a  ^0^  t«S^       ?'™  "°'""y'     '^^  "«« 

-white  as  a  spirit     Duke  lef^Ser  k^J"  2  '**''  exhausted 
ie«ch  of  refreshment, -bm  at   h»,  k    ''  "^u*  ^''^'  *"^  ''«»  " 

How  can  Y  ever  thank  you.  Mr.  Mason""     *  **°*  «"od  I 

or^4^sS^"t!;ti;i:f;e:^^^^^^^^^^  weakne.se. 

turne^very  red.  and  dre^TjisS  awl™^  •f^.'^^^^^'^S  "« 
ger.  burned  him-mutterinff  sontrh.nr?'  ^       *^**'*  •"'^  ^n 
mentioning  it-takin«  a  httlaT,^^  k*  '"*="*''^^'^"»  »bout  "  noi 
^^^  „  "«g  «     taking  a  litUe  nap  m  her  chair  before  the  train 

"Wait  a  Minute,"  she  said*  «t«..^  j    .»  l 

Some  day  I  mavseek  vnnr  k.i„  .       *       .  *  *®  '^*"»  <>'  Mt 
Kou  wiU  LmT?'^'         ^       *»<=»P  *«*m ;  *ad  tf  1  .y«  need  yoa 

^I  Witt  come,"  he  uid.  simply. 


=«pn 


B  Earcit&l 


'  "^  *~i -^riBi^  lUi  Hii 


-t^w.* 


*»   V^"^    ^^/r/UCMOOM. 


■JA  one  band,  and  IViVe  •ems#«.  ,«j 

.One  f  pcaJed  from  the  lurion  rloA      a     ^ 
wnutrs  yet  to  wait,  and  ever?  J^a  ^"^  ^**"  ^  «*«« 
oneJ-twol-Duke',  heart  wZ  r^^J^l  P^«»««.     Hatf-pwl 
«-pen.e.     Fifteen  minuctT  mo"  ^f 5  S'""^  *nd  fa«  SU 
slept  -poor  child     He  tum«t  r«7^   ^'-^^  f  **  •"'*  ^'  ^  «»hc 
g  stopped  too,  for  can^S^e  whell.  i      r^'^'''*°"--^«  »»ewl 
•  streets,  straight  S^g^to  the  USon.  ^  "^"^^  ^'  '^^ 
Midden  .top-a  man  leaped  ou^^H  .J!!*'*'''   "*'*'«''     A 
^a.t.ng-roo..u     He  heardTlow  J^rHl^''*^'  *''*«*>*  '"  ^''« 
^»  all    .Then  with  clench  J  J^rTi^  r^^  '"^'^  ^t  ^t^'-l 
bi.  usually  peaceful  br^Tt  ^/Sl  *  ferociou.  feeung  .n 

Oeoflrey  Lyndith.         ^"^™"-^'''»i~«*  conSwued  Ma. 


'■j^f'^i 


CHAPTER  IV. 


or  TMK 


WAmMO-KOOII.' 


*»>  scene  on  Ihc  bo«d.  """^  °*  """^  »  ««>llg  Snidt 

-jg"'-    She  F«  OMHSS.1Sri^  t''  g«  n«t  lii.  fall 
■»»  to  ronaia  tk^n.  ««»«  uqperceptibU  oMMimi  te 


♦it 


4i 


Afe&fc?'**' 


"rx& 


•«     •  "f  TMB   WAirtNO.ItpOm.l 

What  d«et  thw  mean,  Olivia  ?"  ^    t 

^_««h«  «  uuokn,  ,„„„„^  ,/^  ^_,  ^  ■^i„«, 

'A^  .  q.»tio„  .cry  ,„!.";""  ''"  ^f^'  '"-«*  i   k. 
,  ^IJ  you  »lonc,  Ohvu ? "  •»      '. 

ker  111  njofi  c»lm.      ■  *''•  l-)™<f"k  rcgudot 

.  ™'.^f '  '  "^  '""'  P"^"'  intenrionfc  Olivia  >    i,  _„„!  ■  k- 

^She  rmued  her  arm  with   a  gesture  wothy 


\ 


Tjtjife' 


^ 


TV»  that  orphkn't  tribunal.  I  win  g<i,  a„d  we  wfll  «..  1.  ,vl 
rou  are  to  bean  Eaitern  des«r,f  f^A  r  ^*,'^'"  •«'  «n»cth« 
flfteen  minutes  tSeTIl'"St"n  ^Tre  "if  r'r^^  ^  •" 
Wes  I  iea/e  Speckhaven  forever      I  Ln?  '  ?  '''^'7°  "»" 

He  ^ew  out  his  watch  and  looked  at  it  ,*r,u^ii  i  i 
pane  closer  to  his  niece        -  **»  "placed   it,  aW 

•Jery  well,  Olivia,  it  shall  be  as  you  sar  •  «„U  1  .  ■  ^ 
perniit  you  to  travel  alone  •  I  w^ll  »7i  .  ^ '  ^  \  c*W»o<. 
Estead  of  flymg  to  F^V  l^J^Tl  **^*^^r"^  T^  ^"^ 
Lane.     Such  an  escapee  Zi^h^  return  with  «,e  t^  I'aik 

^  than  pre,  Je^:ta%oX'i:SyTyZr  l:;;r^^^^^ 
dear,  running  about  England  an?  See  ihL  v  T  "?^ 
oome  ho„.e  wuh  n.e.  and%u  will  listen  to  ^caTn,  anu'll^ 
ti  Vane  Charteris  in  April,  and  go  back  with  hm?' ,«X T^ 
Hear  me  out,  i)lease      Vmi  n.r.Jt .  iT  ""  *°  Vienna, 

condition,  fhaf ^ndiS  Tl^  ^  "'t  ""^^  ''""'^i  «»»  <>«« 
.^th.     1  withdral  myXV^cv4h;"'%'   -^»-<^ '«  c«'hpl; 

J^d»^c^pe,.l!er  eyes  Si^CUX^t^ ^^^^ ^ 

"It  still  lives,  then,  and-i,  weU-hanoT ?•• 
Mr.  Lyndith  smiled  grimly.  ^^^ 

persin/S^  ^^^  \:f\}  ^'-^  «<»  "  happy  ..  ^^     " 
have  it,  to  do  wi^h  iJ  a,  ,  "'*'"*^'  "'"*^'y  ^'e-      Vou  shil 

nwne,  "that  you  Jll   .riU  V  "^  *^'°"*  emphasis  on  the 

«*ret     ir,K,/ my  word       S°"  '"I"  '^  ^""^"^  "*  "•*»«»»!  • 
uy  or  do,  ifS"    ^     ^  ^  '^""^  ^^'^  "»»*»  ^  Vane  wiJ^     > 

4' '^ta^'i' I^r  '^  ^^^'  '"^^  «Pon  hi»  with  an  1 

l»«  I  still  refui  ?  '^        "" '  ^**"  '^^•^  l****"^  ^     Now  ni|» 

-^^n!urouV^ce  X^^H?  ^i  '''"^^  '"  *»  -<» 
ging  aU  over.  par.iyVT^'Ti/'  ^^  '^•8»'^«^'^"-     She  wm  fr^ 
^^^^^raKeTtrSj^  '^  with  nenroSrf^SI^Sr^^ 


„V 


'k 


i^^i^  <'-«,SS>^^l>.^«^/%SEiMwli>.- 


*if  ' . 


^  »**«n  Zw^hT'P  *«n  never  «;  :,    . 

^  «^r:Il'^r^tr£t,'f  .X"'^t„„l'--' 
best  hiS^   ^'^h  --"rage-^n,         ,  ^^'^'''^  ^ 

if^oftheJ^^WaJso^ 

**:   M   -uoh  thing,    tei,    '*^~-''"^  <l«^»olation   L     '*''  ''*<^««^ 

£^i£^  th.  ,rf,'^  ^«  the  **«^J^j«^'«ui 


•  '■  p^ftt".'  ^^-i  5,^ 


iWf- 


!'*'" 


fJV  THE   WAlTma.soou. 


J  J 


■  ^  -id  pron.«  »'°^  S  V°rClJ,S£.°"^"J?li' 

I  he  brilliant  midnight  moon  shone  down  with  it>  Jvnr*  ti.^ 
tnr  .fark.  sandy  wa.te  glunmered  tn  ijJ  bea^^     T^l  JI^J*K 

fUhout    he  dreannes^  tuiling  the  utter  misery  will5rayi 
,«gh<rd  a  long,  shuddering.  he»rtiiick  sigh.  .  ^ 

Me  IS  right,"  she  thought  ;  "  it  is  inevitable.     Ah   R»k^ 

«^U  .*.  at  the  best,  and  1  am  .0  ytmni.  and  life  I.  »  longZS 
She  :-ined  against  Uie  window,  and  her  thoocfati  wmf  K.^W 

^es  of  I.ynduh  Court,  m  (u ^wzy  Suffordshire.  and  SThS 
wcmed  more  beautiful  and   bli«.fal  than  a  fiSV  UJe.  «^ 

4gam  h»  voice  in  her  eaj.  ^^        ~ 

?r^?/°l*°  ?^i.^^^'^^  ^'^^^  »»«  through  all  thing«~.for 
T  jyrfOTTOsc,^  «od  as  surely  asHiaven  shines  aSve  n& — 
I  will  come  back  to  claim  you/'  ^  ^ 


And  she  had  prQmJseci  and— 


.el 


ji*. 


HUlr/NG-JtOOM. 

W^  of  Geoftey  Lyndiih,  clo«e  beside  her;  "i  u  to  be  jZ 

_  She  turned  around  and  lifted  in  the  Kas-l'rht  a  *ace  so  deaik 
ike  eyes  ^  d^„.  and  Ufeless.  tha,  even  hj  L^nk^lly,  ^'^ 

/neve/wXr?  """^^  ^'^^'^'  *"'*  "^^^  "'-«"  ^°^«i-e  ,«• 
^  "You   are  hysterical,  Olivia- 1   pardon   your  wild  wtJtda 
cSrtensT-'^'         ''"°''  ^  you  your  child,  ti  nuury  Su  V*« 
"I  firomise I " 

^^u  .  coo.p«a  beween  o.-^  will  kwp  y™„  „„d, 

"i  wiU  never  shake  hands  with  you  aeain  as  lone  u  I  Uve. 

^n  rh,^  ^      i  ""7  "*  *'"  y""  «^*  P^«"»'»*  '  made  two  years 
^o  that  I  am  breaking  now.  but  you  would  say  rash  nrom'^ 

qu  e  sure.  Mr.  I  ynd.lh,  you  will  keep  your  ple^ige  to  me  ?" 

On  my  sacred  honor.     And  now  I  „.ust*^»enS  Joseph  back 
^for:  ;;?  tf^coml^r  -"  ^  «-e'r  tune  to  gel  our^ticke^ 

iJll!!^!'"^'^  **"!;  u^'"'  ^y"*^'^  "  onc^  c«>*ed  the  wait 
ing-room  to  where  Duke  Mason  stiH  stood  unseen. 

am  ifomg  with  my  uncle,"  she  said  hurriedly  ;  "  there  is 
J«  altemauve.     Whatever  happens,  with  aU  my  heitrt  1  SLk 

«.  hl^%o^^X'::;'y  tt^  ^^^^u^^  «^,, ,, 

••You  ha.e  a  home,:*  wife,  mother,  sister,  perhaps?    Ttl 


rl^r  *  A^'T'  •"'^*'  "  "  ^'  •^^  •  •*•»«  »«  >'*n»  it.  -yet  * 

an,'^:  iXiiT.\.r  or.'^^^'^  ^-  '-^  ^  s;  ^.icu. 

h^^k^'"'''  *  .^/"^  ^*"'  *"  ^**P*«*  6«*,  and  «  kind  U^i 
h^.  I  know      If  ,,  „  ever  in  yow  pow«.  Ms    MasoM  ^ 

~Allr*e]y  as  I  have  ajilctl  you  UVftiuht,  madwne." 


i  cv«i  mf^4  h 


m\ 


i .  irii.^: 


■( . 


MOMEMT  BAWKSLEY, 


^"/' 


•'f.^W 


r^-i"  "end  foryooMon— wmTOaeom.tome.iK. 
"  I  will  come  I "  , 

««k«l^a™«,„  under  hi.  .auow  *i„,  .od  .KI?;,ilw^ 
,  J  Good  p«iou,  1"  he  thooght,  "Tuo^um  coold  onl,  «, 

She  left  hi,a     Mr.  I.yndiu,  «  «ie  i„  ,„d  went  to  the  ticket 

vvaierloo  Bntannia,  to  Blocmisbury,  and  Rosanna  ami  huS 
humdruin  coinmonolar«>  hfo  ««^  i  i    »L  «^"»ann»  and  his  old 


'i< 


ciiArrEx  V* 


»0»«MT  ■AWKSLCY. 

'^,  ^-^  J*^*  T'  April,  in  the  year  of  grace  18^7  tk* 

5?S?^^^r^;;«^£tM! 


r^^iTirfi^A^t..  ,h^h,^ 


I 
A 


s« 


MOBEKT  BAWKSLBt: 


\ 


van  of  tke  yew.     We  wffl  weigh  anchor  thu  evening  In  tiM 

Merery."  v 

*•  WfiU,"  the  gentleman  addressed  made  answer,  "  I  am  sum 
to  hear  it  I-  never  feel  so  much  in  my  element,  as  I  do  at 
levi.  I  believe  an  All  Wise  Piovidence  originally  cut  me  oul 
for  an  old  salt,  and  by  some  mistake  I  was  born  Baron  M  on  la 
tten  instead  Jfs  the  old  story,  captain,  the  round  pegs  gt 
atd  the  square  holes,  and  rir^  vtrsA.  As  a  first « lass  seainitn 
I  might  have  been  of  some  use  in  my  generation— as  it  is  '  - 
ftii  lordshjp  shrugard  his  shoulders,  and  saimtered  away. 

If  you  had  told  Nugent   Horatio  F^rlscourt,  Baron  Monta 
aen,  that  he  was  a  very  proud  man,  and  an  ansKKrat  to  the 
core  of  his  heart,  I  don't  thmk  he  would  have  l>elieved  you. 
Ct  was  quite  true,  however.      He  went  m  for  all  soils  of  rrpub- 
lit;an  do*  trines.  and  radical  reforms,  and  the  rights  of  the  jmjo- 
ple,  and  thought  the  Aiiieru-ans  the  greatest  and  noblest  people 
ahve  (or  said  he  'did),  and  would  no  more  have  entertained  a 
mercantile  pnnce,  or  a  cotton  spinning  milllonnaire  at  his  table, 
than  he  wuuld  a  chaw  beacon  otT  his  estat.-  down  in  the  'T^een 
Wold  of  Lmcolnshire.     A  (T«*raldine  de  Montalien  had  come 
*frwi^  the  Conqueror;  a  Rotlolf  Montalien  had  forced  King^ 
fohn  to  sign  Magna  Charia  ;  a   I'nor,  Francis  of  Montalien, 
had  been  great  Ym\  Warwick's  right  hand  man;  a  Cuy  Mon- 
lalirn    had  died  hghting  for  the  *•  White  Rose  and  the    long 
hea<J8  of  hair."     A  Ja-|W  Moitalien,  the  legem!  of  their  house 
said,  had  made  sad  havoc  wnih  the  virgin  heart  of  Queen  Kliz*^ 
beth,  being  a  tall  and  proper  penlleman,  cunning  of  fence,  ind 
handsome  as  a  (ire^-k  god,  as  it  was  m  his  nature  to  be.     They 
had  been  strong  barons,  and  skilled  warriors,  from  time  imme- 
mortal,  and  thry  had  quartered  their  arms  with  royal  houses  l)e. 
•ore  now,  and  bndes  with  princely  bltK)d    in  their  veins  had 
•tepped  across  the  threshold  of  Montalien  Priory.     And  tb« 
bh*e  hlocxl  of  hundreds  of  haughty  barons  hail  gone  down  (t 
Nogent,  the    present  lord  of    Montalien,  arwl  he  would  hirf 
kfoked  at  you  with  his  classical,  |»amrian  fa.  e.  ar.d  tolj  yoo 
the  acpdent  of  buth  was  nothing  less  than  nothing,  that 


A«4  itmn^  fMdi  than  Ndrmaa  Mood  :" 


•nly  *\AAf  Vere  de  Vere"  had  not  then  been  written,  sad 
asiuhilated  ywx  with  one  glance  of  haa  steel  blue  eyea,  had  yoo 

p^sauiaw)  tr^opw^  oprmo  iiom  ttwiiiriPiui  i|iriHn  {iTlir 


|r  ;■ 


/ 


;■■..  &L^-i.it^:iriU.~'i.-^--.:'uj.,>- 


./ 


,..;  .i.«V,lB*bi.  .?." 


,"'■;.'■;    V?' 


~x^    '*'^'''"-"^"^. "    "^  "     ■*~ ''*t^^?i;^'^' 


He  had  been  nakJng  an  American  tivr  incofnito  as  "  Mr 
EarUcourt/'  for  the  past  nine  months,  an.l  h«dJ««,,/  e„j„^ 
hnnsclf  He  had  hunted  buffaloes,  and  hvl  a  shot  <ir  tlo^ 
host,  e  bands  of  Indians,  and  found  life  a  good  d-^  less  of  a  boie 
than  he  had  done  any  time  these  last  twenty  y-v;,.  He  was  fift« 
irears  old  now,  and  there  were  many  silver  threMs  in  his  dark 
hair;  he  was  unutterably  patrician-looking,  w^th  the  broail 
hrow  the  handsome,  classical  nose,  the  deteravccd  mouth, 
hereditary  m  his  race.  •"wuui, 

"Yes,  I  am  sorry,"  I^rd  Montalien  thought,  m  hf^  stroUed 
away  .-If  u  is  worth  while  to  regret  anything  ^  tiuslJ" „ 
world,  which  I  greatly  doubt,  I  shall  regret  America,     The  bS 

snail  fall  a  victim  once  more  to  that  horrible  complaint,  cnnuL 
ora»  our  lively  hrench  neighbors  call  it,  'La  LaM^r  x^S 
r«h^  K.  I  A  ^T"  u'''""^''  <Ireary  debates  in  the  Von^r, 
I  shall  be  bored  to  death  every  Christmas  down  at  Mortalien 
among  the  'homy  handed  sons  of  toil,"  and  dowagers  with 

^se«on/°  '""^^  "^  ™^"  "'  ^"^  *  »»°"°'  »o  »«  durinj 
Lord  Montalien  had  drawn  near  a  solitary  figure,  leanin. 

mSli^'  ^^t'i^'^  *"^  «"^'"8  with  an  inTens^rJ  quke  '2! 
^^^  "I  ^^'^  ^"^^'on  whence  Kngland  lay.  gi:i  go  ah- 
•orbed  that  he  never  heard  the  approaching  fooU  *r^^ 
.JiiJr*^"  ""**  ?""''  Hawksley,  now,"  the  ,K;er  thought,  witl 
bowfnten^r  "^  -"^'7 '  "  ^ow  thoroughly  in  earnest  he  L^ 
wIhoml^^*"*'°"''^ '"«'='  home?     I  suppose  England  6 

an^'L^'^ft  ^  ^^^'  '>'  that-why  don't  I  long  lo  see  Frandi 
and  (,uy,  after  a  year's  separation,  /^ 

llnw l-liK-^'"''  K  '"^"y  ^';*"  be  pleased  to  see  Guy  agaa 
How  Lke  his  mother  the  fad  is?     Poor  Vew  tia  I     nnafSSb 

Tont"  ""r  '^''"  '  "'"' '"  '"  ^°  '^^  '"^  '  ^  «^^  <^ 
I  lawksley  f "  he  laid  his  small,  shapely  hand-like  a  wom«,', 

^anJsky         "  "^  "^^  "'f"  '^'^^  "^  «*^*"8  "  ^<^  «^ 
jrenty,  perhaps,  very  tall,  very  fair,  ver?  good-lookin.      Mon 

ftrifverydeinhs.-luxunant  chestnut  bea/d  and  liXandTfeT^ 
EnidKh  skin,  tanned  gorden  brown.  .««!«»« 

Amom  aU  hu  feilow-iMUttengofa  acroM,  the  only  one  in 


«^iji;)£'ti't.,'   '«  ^ 


J  v^k'Sto&afirta^'i  ■ ,  tjim^^i:%.  L\i,'.A.  $;*■'«,*  A.; 


'>W>lM«i>MiiiMn 


■\ 


xr^A 


L^d  MoKtalien  had  deigned  to  Uke  the  slightMt  bterett  «m 
tl  IS  young  man.  , 

Tnii  young  man  who  wore  a  rough,  shabby  coat,  a  ir\  hat 
and  irho  was  too  |x>or  to  travel  in  the  first  cabin. 

His  name  on  the  p'assenger  hst  was  Robert  Ha#ksley;  ht 
was  a  returned  Englishman,  who  had  spent  the  last  two  yean 
in  roughmg  it  in  the  Western  States ;  and  who,  judging  by  «» 
pearances,  had  not  made  his  fortune.     Since  he  had  come  OL 
board  at  New  York,  an  intense,  a  sickening  longing  to  reach 
England  possessed  him.     He  seemed  unable  either  to  eat  of 
weep.     At  night,  when  the  midnight  stars  shone  over  the  pur- 
ple sea,  he  paced  the  deck,  hour  after  hour,  ever  ga/:ng  toward 
where  England  lay,  with  a  burning  hunger  of  impatience  in  his 
eyes.     He. was  a  self-contained  man,  who  said  l.ttle  to  those 
about  him,  and  this  very  reticence  and  quietude  first  dre?»r  the 
nobleman  toward  him  ;  he  sought  to  make  iy>  acquaintances 
—he  was  modesty  and  unassuming  to  an  unusual  degree,  and 
l^rd  Montalien,  who  kept  sundry  very  wealthy  fellow-passen- 
gers  at  a  safe  distance,  and  who  knew  every  sailor  on  board 
hy  name,  was  on  the  most  friendlj-  footing  with  Rol>ert  Hawky 
ley.     if  he  had  sought  to  force  bis  confidence  or  companion 
ship  u|)on  him,  his  lordship  would  have  sent  him  to  coventn* 
I  in  three  minutes,  but  he  never  did.     He  talked  to  my  lore 
when  ijiy  lord  desired  it,  and  if  he  were  passed  by  unnoticed 
he  did  not  seem  to  care  one  whit.     He  was  so  thoroughly  in- 
dependent, and   manly,  and  simple,  that  his  grave   dilputy 
always  commanded  res|>ect 

"Well,  Mr.  Hawksley,"  his  lordship  said,  "we  are  aknott 
there  at  last" 

"At  last  I"  The  young  man  drew  a  long  breath,  a  lon& 
eager  sigh.  \  7^- 

**  You  say  that  as  though  we  had  been  a  naonth  out,  and  yet 
we  have  had  a  reniarkably  speedy  passage.     You  are  verv  anj 
lous  to  arnve  ^  "  . 

"  Very  anxious ;  the  passage  has  been  intolerably  slew  M 
■ic,  and  yet— and  ycr— perhaps,  1  had  much  better  nor.  hav« 
come  at  alL" 

"That  depends.  You  have  numbers  of  friendi,  no  doobt, 
wtto  will  lejoice  lo  greet  you  after  two  years'  absence." 

The  young  man  looked  at  him  with  those  wonderful  blikc 
fj^M,  and  then  away  at  the  golden  light  on  the  sea. 
— ^J  have  Ho^  friends,  my  lord— noner  -There  ii1»inillite"llT 
Kni^aMd  who  cares  for  oie.  and  she  must  be  either  mora  or  leu 
dian  a  ftisnd." 


ft^yi 


^,«. 


i,s'afeM'4,-..M 


V'^- 
M 


«*  .^^  (W  &""  V"*  t 


X ' 


e^n-in 


bterett  #m 

It,  a(r^  hat 

a#ksley;  ht 
5t  two  yean 
dging  by  af 
tad  come  ol' 
ing  to  reacfc 
ler  to  eat  of 
)ver  the  piir- 
a/*.ng  toward 
tience  in  his 
tie  to  those 
irst  dreyv  the 
:quaintances 
degree,  and 
llowpassen- 
)r  on  board 
l>ert  Hawky 
companion 
to  Coventry 
to  my  lore 
f  unnoticed 
oroughiy  in- 
ave   digni^ 

are  almost 

ath,  a  long^ 

mt,  and  yet 
re  verxaax 

bly  slew  M 
T  noi;  havi 

^  no  doubt, 
:e." 
derfiil  bids 


I  one  m  U 
aoreorkM 


»OMSJtt  SAWICSLET. 


**Oh »  I  sec  I—a  'lady  in  the  case,'  as  they  sar  in  Tri».i  dnek 
rhen  you  come  hon.e  for  a  bnde  ;  that  is  L  cau  J  of  XlS 
burnrng  unpanence.     Uy  lad,  1  congratulate  you--I  .ernim 
bcr  bemg  yuung  once  my«^lf;  and  it  was  very  nire      AnjT«/ 

l!Z''yJuV""'  '^'  ""^  ^'  '^«""  even^:;;e*^imX3r 

a«'com!,;r'  ''"''"  "^"''^^^y'  "»^^  ^-»  -t  even  k«o,/l 

"What  I     You  did  not  write  and  tell  her?     You  wi«h  m 

live  her  a  meUnlrainatic  surpnse.  1  suppos"?"  ^^ 

,  r*  T"'"'  '^'"-"  ^^  ''e^  n'y  lord.  Dunrz  the  L. 
rears  1  have  bem  rcug.ing  .t  out  there  ^v^o^^Z\^^r\Tl 
Kave  never  had  .  I.ne  .ro.„  her.  nor  from  anv  one  .n'hlTand 
She  does  n„.  ev.p  Know  that  1  am  aUve.  She  \^ L^^t 
me^^Lurd  AU>nt»..n^  m  rank,  out  two  years  ago  L  Wd 

cZ^i^^'L^"^  r'"''  ^'''■\  *"^  y°*?  ^«P^c»  to  find  her  un- 
''MT.i>df!l1  ""'''"*;  '^'^  '^^  *  compassionate    sn.He. 

SS  rJL^  •/;  1!".°^'^^  ^"<^'  «  Po<^t,  who  had  severJ^,^ 
W|fl  wiyevif  1  nustaae  not,  has  toW  us^Allis  vanity7     [tS^ 


^1] 


'  I 

I 

§ 

fcsitejfe,.;;.'- 

i. 


i«&MJ^i>6v.!.n',..         ..•,v_>,.2Ki"i  '.a?!'*,     V.  ,«^rf,  ..•?     '^t^E 


4«     .  •OMMMr  HAmrSLMV, 

jjjobert  lUwlule^  looked  tt  him  witb^  u  •avftt^^W 

J1?«LJ*ST^  J^'^t^*'*  *«^«J  y*>»^  see     A  m«i 
JV«rpect  fidehty  from  hit  wife,  with  some  show  of  reaW 

k^  y«|»«ve  never  written  to  her  in  two  years.     Ilasi^tS 

« if  ^'f  °:'«««''»  on  your  part,  my  dear  boy  ? " 

i.  &;  i!?    **  *'*''•*  ''**'".  "*=•*"•     '  »»ve  told  jou.  my  lord.  sh« 

'  j,  pV"****^ '    ^<»^  '^  *  clandestine  iiiarriage,the».  I  take 

«ni?i  7**-  .^^^^  =**"^-^  *'<*  '^onft  I  suppose-die  was 
O^y  sixteen,  I  twenty-two,  she  an  heiress.  and^^prouH 

SS  L^  *"^  i"r  '^".«'^"^'  *"*^  '-*  "^l^ody  I  Biit^we  toved 
^T^en  Vdont^J*""'  ""T^  T''  happy-iwere  in  heaved!" 
IM.  J  .. ..  ?  *  *?y  y°"  ''^^^  ^one  so  very  badly,  with  vour 
Itfe,  after  all."  Ix>rd  Montalien  remarked.  "  Ther;  Tre  s^me 
^  us  who  go  through  the  world,  and  don't  find  f^r  Ly,^ 

S^w^"^*^  ^"^^^  ^"*^  A"^  the  flimy-heart^  undi 
l^tnl^  reasonable,  and  accept  the  inevitable?  He  "o  J 
htt  daughter  away,  and  you  becamq  an  exUe  ?  And  now  Zl 
■re  going  back—may  I  ask-why  ?"  V  "''  ^° 

Jf  II-    ^il"'"  ""^  '^*'' '"  '«'"^  °f  '^•'"-to  fetch  her  to  America 

L  hjt^'"''*  '  "1  ^""^  ^^'  »  '^"™<^  there-not  such  S 
Ae  has  been  accustomed  to,  but  if  i^e  loves  m-  as  she  dii  s^ 

J^,be  happier  wiih  me  in  a  cottage  than  without  me  ii  a  ^ 

*  u  //  'u'".  ^^^  Wontalien  repeated,  half  cynically,  half  sadlv  • 
«  »/she  Iov«,  you  as  she  did,  Robert^  I  lawkTley.     A nd  shTh^ 

iilTinrh  "^  * ''"''^^"^   *  hoiHT-yes,  my  lad,  I  ho, h-^.' 
»fl^  find  her  an  exception  to  her  sex,  and  trul  and  lendlT.  S" 
IMdy  tt>  riy  with  you  to  the  uttennost  ends  o?  the  e^rth      Voo 
m„^!;  ^*i^I:  '  *™  ^*^««".  »"d  handsc,;.e,  anThere  dS 

14S.».  ^Ti       T'  "**  ' '  **"^  l'^**  »"d  novelists,  iid  pUy 
"S\    1.     K   *  '***7  young  fellow  I  ke  you,  wcUmanmsrJ! 


S-t.-*  ;*■  .-*■   J  iK3».it3*  ^*  -.  ■ 


■.f."Xrj;^^;.*' 


I    W       •*If37'    ' 


kOSERT  HAWKS  LEV, 


4^ 


When  Adam  delved,  and  Eve  spun 
Who  was  then  the  gentleman  !' 

^h^c*"^"  ^ill  the  day  come  whe.1  monaichies  will  end  and 
the  sovengn  People  rule  ?     1  like  Americans 7 1  ifke  the^r 

seen  anilshould  ■L^l^^^^U^'^^:,ZV^^^^^^^ 
among  u.e  roh:ng  pra.ries.  Lrds  of  buffL!o,^nd  Tnd  an 
tnbes.  If  I  were  not  Alexander.  I  would  be-the  oSitZ^ 
If  I  w^renot  Baron  MontaI.en.  efMonulien,  J  w^uldbTaNiT^ 
on  the  western  pjams.  But  n^^/.x^re^^/i^vjand  all  Sat  '^ri  3 
Unng  wh.,h  ,n  myca|«,  means  I  mus,  assume  the  old  trlX^ 
Ufe  of  the  House  of  I^rds,and  society  amJ.l.n^-  ireaij-miu 
fo..h„„,i„g  and  find  ,,  all^a„1,,"lS';i;'^^lS''^^hJ 
^Id  no.  thai  ,„g^hea.M  feglfsh  anaucra..  ,h«  3,    ^^ 

com.  round  sSddenIr  >'>it"^s^J^T'  ""^  **" 
yurg  man  s  shoulde.,  "if  you  ever  nebd  a  friend  am?  /  »'j.n 

.£;&d*.?sJn.i;^j^.  ?:;sdircir„-;ni 

bS;  hU  H  '*^  •  ^"'  "^  "  *»  °"'y  »^"*  after  all  If  ^;  h*J 
^r.  his  daughter,  or  niece,  he  would  have  behaved  jus!  th* 
Mm»e      No,  no.  the  same;  I  don't  think  Lord  M  Sen  rJS 

?nn  ,i    ^"'»'«/t7  gracious  fc  lAjrd  Montalien,  inhisT^ 
•on  to  say  such  thmgs.  but  haven't  I  seen  him  when  Sa.'rS 

Jkc  anT?«T  ;  ^  w°'  *^"^  ^""^^  sarcastic  sentences?     hJI^ 
4ke  jai  the  rest  of  hi.  order,  bm  x>i,_ah,  my  darling  Jbe  fl^ 

JSli'ofTem^S'rl  "'"^•*^^  ^'  '^  ^"  b/happy%^Uiert       ■ 

■ri^  >?/"  u  "J^"  fawkstcy;  with  hit  handsome^l«^"iM 

■•y^l*  ^w  his  heart  to  his  eyes.  '^ 

«^y  newday.  the  p.«e,ge« oT  the  "Und  of  CohuDbia" 


ht^&h^'A.»j.  ir        flu«    -L^A       t:^^^"'*^ 


1&  fW  TR  ■jy»»'*  •!«<•/ 


w»P*»-'»--r't--if  I, 


i-'" 


44 


kOBAPT  itAmcszjtY, 


VH^t^  '?  I'iverpool.  Ix>rd  Monulien  shook  hands  witb 
Kobert  Ha^rksley  on  the  quay,  without  one  tinge  of  condeicea 
uon  or  iiatronage. 

-  Remember    Hawksley,  if  I  can  ever  be  of  service  to  wml 
come  to  me.     i  will  help  you  if  1  can." 

t^m.".*^!*"  Hawkslfv  had  said,  "Thank  you.  my  lord,  I  wiT 
remember."     And  so  they  had  parted,  and  h«iw  <Jas  either  to 

f«"st  t^ihim  bi;:h'r  ""^'"'  "^^  '"^"'^  *^^"  ^^  ^'^  ^ 

1  here  was  an  hour  to  spare  before  the  train  by  which  the 
foung  man  meant  to  travel  to  London  would  start  He 
turned  into  a  cotfee-house,  ordered  his  breakfast,  and  while  he 
waited,  took  up  a  greasy  paper,  Ipng  on  the  table.  It  was  a 
copy  of  the  .ondtvi  Alormng  Post  three  day*  old,  but  the 
ret.jrned  Knglishnian,  to  whom  Knglish  papers  were  as  rare  as 
angds  visits  read  u  with  avidity.  He  was  reading  the  fash- 
^nable  intelligence,  whom  were  party-going,  party-giving,  who 
•as  presented  at  the  last  drawing-room,  whom  were  being 
married,  and  to  whom.  And  in  this  list  'he  caiite  upon  the 
followmg  paragraph :  ^ 

»  'iL^*  I?*""''^  °^  ^'^  ^*"*  ChftrterM,  Secretary  of  T^ecatlon  to  Vienn.. 
Lynuith.  fcsq  ,»o  long  postponed  on  account  of  the  young  la<ty's  ill-healtt 
JT\Z\  ^""^  ^"^  the^ fourteenth  of  the  present 'monfh  'immeSSl 
ri  -  honeymoon  which  la  to  he  spent  in  Italy,  Sir  Vane  and  Lacw 
Chaitens  depart  for  the  bhlliam  Viennese  Court."  «»«  "a  i-K»f 

Robert  Hawksley  read  Ibis  paragraph,  and  read  it  again- 
•lowly,  liainfully,  with  a  face  from  which  every  drop  of  blbod 
•iirely  leceded  He  held  the  paper  before  him,  his  eves  dila 
tmg,  hjs  face,  his  lips  turning  to  the  hue  ofashes.  No  word 
no  exclamatun  escaped  him  ;  he  sat  as  rigidls  a  man  turning 
to  fttCMe  The  waiter  brought  him  his  breakfast,  and  stared  at 
.Jim  aghast.  He  spoke  to  him,  he  did  not  hear,  he  to adhed 
him,  and  a  pair  of  sightless  eyes  looked  up  from  the  paper. 

Ere  s  your  brekwist,  sir— hany  think  helsc,  sir  ?  "     K.t  ut 

words  fell  on  dull  ears.     "  Blessed  if  I  don't  think  he' .  goiftt 

if^u  *  thought  the  waiter,  and  left  him.  "  .  * 

R;.»bert  Hawksley  sat  there,  and  read  again,  and  nrjiin,  that 

fcriel,  commonplace  paragraph  in  the  Morning  Post.     Watten 

and  CKstomers  stared  alike  in  wonder  at  the  young  man,  wIm 

ftwfiiUy  oocpae-like  face.  ^|^  . 


^      f 


i$i^ilf^\^^ '.        'JY\^* 


^^T^i  A'         i     (I    IMP   HBH 


service  to  jroK, 


■4  •■. 


^  ■ 


rXB  POtntTMEIfTB  OP  AMttt. 


41 


He  wpdit  u  last,  and  laid  down  the  naoM-     ti»«  .^b.. 
|«;^Kheit  an^        demanded  h.s  biU/  Triia-i^cSf^tE 
m|^^u^he  p.:d  «  at  once,  and  without  a  word  ^^^^ 

ti^\^ttV'?^\  T  "^.  ^'^•"'"ft  A*^  'tweets  were  X  -ritl 

SSTeSl  hnill^^n  1  u  ^*^'''^  ^"'"«  "O^hii^g.  hearing  nSC, 
walked  MinJJy  on  like  a  man  in  a  dreain.  * 

•  MiS!?''^"*?*'  '^"^^  ^"»«J  ^'"ugh  his  brain  like  a  be!J 

i^y  „ J^"    K    I     ''°"^""'  »nd  to-morrow  is  her  wedding 
Sf^U;  "*  '?^8*^^*'  *'«"d  '"  an  insane  sort  of  wav^athe   i« 

Mie  was '^wy  wife.     Lord  Montalien  was  riuht  then    afte.- all 
I  supposed  will  be  at  St  (leorge's,  Hanovef  S^are.     Well  l 

wr  vane  Chartens,  /  shall  go  to  your  weddine." 

An  hour  later  ind  the  express  train  was  HyinR  homeward 
and  Robert  Hawksley  sat  ga^ing  straigh,  bcLe^  ^mZl^ 
fl}-mg  landscape  and  blue  English  sky,  ^ith  that  fierce  hun^L 

"Married!"    that  be»  in   his  brain   ..emed  still   toUaur 

Married   to-morrow,    to  Sir   Vane   Chanens.     Wcn--3S 

to-morrow  comes,  we  wiU  see  1"  "eii—wneB 


■•'"n 


CHAPTER  VL 

THI   DAWN  or  THI    rOURTKWfTH   OF  AFRIL. 

V^.^t  ?'T?*'!  °^^r">.  and  late  in  the  afternoon 
I  Sunshine  flooded  the  quiet  streets  of  riloomsb^  «i 
O^windows  of  Half.Moon  Terrace^  happen.^'^oftS 
«ky.  a  skv  S^^^  *T  *'•  *«a'"«^  '^th  the  golden  light  of  d» 
fc^'^nsttid^^re  panW  "^''-''°«" '^A«  - '  '^^^ 

v*-»«on  had  aer  up  hu  hou«ehold  godi.  he  bud  | 


■« 


It^I' 


■^&<->i«'t»     ^     *    -^^ 


U&^B^-    sS& 


Ammey-nrwp  for  neighbi>r  hi  the  attic,  and  a  l^me  cokbl« 

jsted  of  four  dimmutive  rooius,  a  kitrhen,  with  a  bedroon.  «« 

for  h«  sister  and  housekee,>er.  a  parlor,  ^itT  diuo^ZseS 

ttd  a  dreary.  un,,lastered  apart.i^ut,  also  oi)eninK  off  the^JT^ 

kir  *h.ch  served  him  as  a  studio .  for  VinC^^ ^  ^J^l 

jou  have  been  told-scenic  artisi,  nis  httle  sign  over  uTe  do^ 

Jrformej  you-ass,sta,.t  scene-painter  to  the^oyal\vat«i^ 

anianoio.     He  was  also  second  violinist,  he  likewi^  we„rcm 

ind  played  a  mtch  in  Macbeth.  Second  CraveSS  efc    and 

juclM>owerfuI  casts^  R,ing  an  au.p,  in  the  KreS'CC 

fcj  moreover  a^lapted  the  plays  oi  that  nation,  diluting  thfS 

with  insular  virtue,  and  straining  tne  French  iioS'l  1^3 

fraits  when  he  got  them  to  pai„t,  so  that  you  perce^^  iSr  Ma 
Senr  "  «'^"';""^  °^  ^""'-«^  P-ts  aJld  gr^at  versaUUty  5 

hard  V  work  '"rhe  ^^fl^-'"^"^  ^^  «""ny  April  afternoon, 
nara  at  work.  The  ugly,  bare  room  is  flooded  with  sunshine 
and  walls  are  covered  with  the  works  of  Duke's  fiiSe  bms^* 
Conspicuous  among  these  is   his   great  histonca^  Lee    th^ 

?i  L^'^^l  f  ^l  ^^  '"'^'"  ^^*"^ce.  »nd  Robert  IW  and 
King  Mward  I  all  ablaze  with  crimson  lake  and  iamlJ- 
from  the  lund  glory  in  the  skies.     1  am  not  ^itive  S ISS 

v^id:v^^     -- i  r 

^kbum-  wouldn't  sell,  and  the  artis.  had^iven  up  his  .>^ 

i»ainting  a«.l  gone  in  for  the  Royal  Bntannia.  whit  v LEtoS 

in  income  of  forty-five  shillings  a  week    ""^  T'^^  > '^Wed  htt 

This  afternoon  he  is  at  work  on  a  huge  squaie  that  ocmnie. 

JI  one  side  of  the  room,  and  he  is  standing  ot,  a  li^tK 

t^J^  T  ^^^''g^°""ds.     Close,  it  looks  one  Lge  dC^ 

ro^  and  purples,  and  ultramarine  and  gold  leXfron^^ 

doorway  «  looks  like  a  grotto  set  ih  gollen  sTc ..  a, Tin^ 

moog  lune  l^ht  will  no  doubt  come  out*^in  cfaL?^  .plrudit; 

iKeyes  of  the  frequenters  of  the  Britaii^nia.         ^  *F*rudar  to 


J»^p^  wijoinmgrW^RiFB^ 

*  or  t^rUw.  «te  •ewing  Miss  Rottnna  Mawn.     Sm  fSl 


SsViHU^  i3^. 


ifitSi 


■s«t. 


Yq# 


;1'S^W»';f^V|1"«'«l'»' 


J«  work  ;  a  i^n'McT'^i'eTcS^ll*^^^  **^*  -"<^  B^- 

y^uow  iunlHfht  floods  Mi„  M^T2„e^ij/"i'  8'^*  °'  '^ 
flory.  and  \fwnt  are  a  frivnin...    "  ■    *"°  '**'•  >»  »» 

Ji  detUmtdy  mentipn^l  a^tncc^.n       k     ^  ^I  "*•*»  *«e  which 
Duke's  -eior.and  Duk"i,Xve^d'rw  ^"^i!'"  ^'^«»  *« 
ipare.  a,  maiden  \»>^e,Z^Z!;^t^T\'  ?^'  "  '*"  «<» 
•Ad  fhin  lips,  and  dee^^ey^^^^    %^^  '"«»'  '^^««''  bone,, 
menW.  frar^ral  development    I^d  her  h^  "^i  *.*^*^  *  ''^ 
hue  called  sandy,  is  tightly  p"nnedYa  H».^''  ''*^*'  '»  °'  'he 
Jei  head      He/dres^old^'rd  f^fieVis  damhW      '*'"****^''  "' 
^l  eveiything  about  Vr.  exccpl^n^r W  H  ^''*'\"  ^*'  '■»• 
Jovr^  and  prays  for.  and  t;raniSes  ^ver^^  ^    '''  "*'°'"  "^"k 
over  the  pi*,  they  lik,^  best  °*"'  "  «>"»«  "'Qnjen  do 

'i'here  is  flP  tradition  extant,  that  >ii  «ij       -j 
faj  their  lives,  could  have^^mamed  ^l^th'""^^^    T''  '^^ 
A-re  .s  stiH  another  cruel TrX^thitall'old     "^"'^  '^  *"^ 
ke  married.     Miss  M£«m  »r».      u      .      •    °'"  '"*'ds  «"»«/  to 
JH  ih  these  particuW^^^No  ma:;''h*r''  "'"'^l'^^  ""^^  ^^  ^ 
h.m,  and  no  n.an  .had  ever  hvj^  ^„^'"'\*'''^^  ''^'  '^  "'a^T 
1  hold  her  up  before  yorYn  a  ^w  if?  "^^^  **"*^  '«  "^ 
•rho  wis  anSid  .naid'^plrifeu  .""'  P*^"~-*  "'^ 
;P^  ".en  ;  she  despii^  m^tVr^^i't^  '^,'^'-     ^***  ^*' 
beings,  with  no  higher  aim  thanXTr  h.?Sr7*'''  P"T»«»<=»I 
d'en.     She  had  rto  weakneaf  Te«Ltf .  'T  ?^i  ^**^  ^*^^  ^- 
\^  cats;  one  engendered  ;^as.the^  oh         ^^"^  ?°  P*'   **«P. 
'  ^nsities.     sSTcultivated  flowers    tJ'e  :::fnd"'  ^'  ^/'^'^ 
mem  at  UM.  moment,  arid  very  ^aut.fi.?  TI    """  *"*  ^^^^  «< 
LoiHion  grune:  and  she  lov«f 7k;??       "'  /^^^  ^'^  *mid  the 

toett  sort,  who  lookS^uoon  ^^»        *  Christian  of  the  aus- 

~»n.     She  was  a  thc^o^hiy  w^  ?nd  .f"*""  '^*'  ^"'  '''^P  ^« 
»ay.  whicH  was  a  very  JooLif^H  *™''"  ''°"»*"  »»  »»« 

net  she  woukl  sit  up  tStHfu  ni^hr?'*'  ''?'^  "  ^ou  wet 
»««inc*;  asking  no  VewiVanH^*  i  *5*'  "«*'^  *'»0'^'»«  no 
JJ»e  lamp  fltcker^e^'a^^'XlrSs  tt^i  :£f  ?••  *•»*»  *^ 


<" 


./^ 


.j^^Vi/Eii«i.s  irf.  i>  -' 


.ii; 


.V*3E  i»AA.*£s*«i '  .  V  ;s»?*"'*'  -«>i>A-  ■*»;  % 


i  t'--\ 


-j, 


48 


r/fB  POVRTRRSTH  OF  APRIL, 


hair  roBc     Dnke  stood  in  awe  of  her ;  hadn't  $h^  bnwiht  U> 

op«m«  boyhood,  and  slap|H?d  him,  and  scokkd  him  to  hk 

wod.  unia  the  poor  hiile  fdlow's  hfe  had  becn^i  misery  to  kirn? 

She  had  meant  h,m  to  be  a  preacher,  a  piissionaJr  to  th« 

heath^ri,  and  lo  I  here  he  was,  at  five-and-twe.ty,  a  phry  ar  toil 

It  Wis  Miss  Mason's  bitterest  ^ross,  but  she  bore  iC •*  wc  »1L 

.Mints  and  jinners,  must.  ^  ^ 

•ITie  afternoon  sun  dropped  low- Miss  Mason  glancing  out 

M  (he  cnmson  golden  radiance  yonder  in  the  west,  opined  thai 

ZVS  »*"'o»»  "">*  t«  go  and  get  tea.     Duke  must  depart  fot 

f?  -^'S!?"'  **^  ^"^"fss  "  as  she  always  tnougl.t  of  the  Britan- 

r  J^  at  half  past  six,  and  the  pantaloons  were  done.     She  elanced 

t  their  wearer  and  her  grim  face  grew  a  shatle  more  griL 


Jvery  day." 

Duke  was  not  doing  anythin|^«y  wrong-in  fact,  he  was  not 
Joing  anything  at  ajt     He  8a%>erched  ol  the  top  of  the  iS 

^5  »hi  .7  *"''  ''^^"*'  ""T^'  ^**^"8  ^^H'  ^^^  a»  nothing, 
»nd  whisthng  a^  pensive  acconj^niir.ent  to  his  thoughts.  It 
•ras  quite  a  new  habit  of  his  this  day-<iream:ng,  a  hibit  con- 
bacted  since  his  late  visit  to  Lincolnshire.  That  was  over 
three  weeks  ago  now,  and  as  his  sister  said  to  herself!  he  i^ew 

"^^2  ^^\'     ""  ^^  r*  '^'^  *  ^'^>  ^  you  may  su^ 
pose,  of  the  aJventure  of  the  night  of  the  2Sth  of  March- 

S/k*"*^"^      felt  tempted  to  pour  the  scbry  of  their  follies 
Utto  the  vestal  ear  of  Rosanna,  and  he  had  hidden  the  opal  hm 
deep  in  the  recesses  of  his  pocket-book.     He  ha«  told  nobod? 
of  that  strange  adventure,  and  he  had  Cintracted  a  custom  of 
Ainkina  about  it  a  great  deal     ITie  fai.,  proud  face^fTC 
Olivia  Lynduh  ro«.  very  often  between  him  and  the  canv^T 
and  haunted  his  dreams.     UTut  had  become  of  her?     h3 
•he  mAZTied  the  baronet  ?— he  was  a  baronet,  I  hike  surposeO  - 
07  had  Robert  turned  up  ?    Of  course  not ;  Robert  was  drowneo 

bL'^*L  ''  7"*"*^  J«t  a»  present  he  wa.  wonder 
mghowt^ young  ladys  escape  had  come  to  be  disco|ered  «o 
speedily  li  was  the  missing  key  did  it,  no  dojbt.  He  had 
been  the  missing  key.  Mrs.  Grimshaw  had  foiind  herself 
unable  to  sleep  that  night  on  accounj  of  it.  Had  the 
spirit  of  the  cavalier  whisked  it  on.  or  Bad  Miss  Lyndith 
anything  to  do  with  it?  After  tossirg  for  hours,  Mrs. 
_g!:;^l"a^  grew  desper>iff„jitiii  J=tQt&  to. the-yoang  lady's 
Wdsid^e  to  see  that  all  whs  safe  The  door  w'as^Iocked' 
be4  MoUisturbed,  the  young  ^ady  gone.  Half  an  hour  aft** 


..sJrn^ 


'-''.%'t?Y^M^'' 


okl  Turk,  hn 

,  It  attitade  hiniael( 
«ndUid  dmmher 


IjTKlfth  wt.  u*n„g  along  to  the  .Ution  fa  ««h/oC  1^ 
"  W  ;.  T.  Qufll  got  hold  of  the  story  he'd  work  if  i.«/L  -  < 

"  Diike,"  hi»  sister  said,  in  »d*ep  o 

hnih.     "*"'**  *°  ''"  "»"*»  position/ and  laid  hold  of  wi^ 
brushes  m  some  trepidation.     Jt  •»- J»  i^-i    L^   "OW  Of  Im 

.  those  big  fellows  do  nuke  aT^l  hf.,  !I     f^   J  wppoae 

As  to  what  it  mctdilt^tht/?   !:      ,  *?*^  •  "<>  *»«'P  fo'  it. 

and  ,he  piece  "sf^  Ta  X  tC  ;lH*%y*"1.*  '^-P'*"^**^ 

!S,>anel^  if  anything  w^  L     t,  ^  J^e  .r„T^*  ^"1!?'  * 

,  Dismal  Deep  ,•  •  a^  ihere/arV.i?.?  ^^  {-.o^M  Cave,  of  the 

!  where  the^Venus  Ai>hrrvi;»- !;       /         .    *  "*"**•  '"  «»  P«t, 

?  *nd  sirens,  a*? jLTl^w  of         ?'  ?'**"  •"••I'essed.  aa  mermaidi 

3»  Mrs.  Ann  Rii:i<>rk_ian!i  v       ^.    !"     .  bosom  of  her  (am- 
foung  r;re.,i„  ,:;„c^-X^  jlP**^*'  '?"'"'*''  ^«  ^  lovely 


*e  «=eo^«  t^.'  "^  *»*^«  «»  ^W^k  douW«  tidea.  bSS; 


^dis<i^^^«  ^!|4%;;''*i^irU><<i'^^^k>j;'^^» 


.f. 


'^;# 


f 


i  ■ 


■\- 


:  \ 


50  rif£  FOURTEENTH  OF  APRIL,' 

\Jt'Jf^^'''^  .^'^.^''^^,/"  '''s  skies  and  clouds  energ«ticaK 
mUie  parlor  was  about  to  bri.i.?  him  to  bo(,k      ^      ^ 
I  dont  want   to  hear   about  your  Coral  Caves  and 

exrst,  and  that  my  own    brother   is  risking  his  eiern^i 
we  fare  among  them.     I  vvant   to  knovv  vvh^t     o-fme^^^^^^^^     I 
by  Umt  0C1.0US  habit  you  have  contracted   of  ii"  ng %?  J 

.ornethmg-don't  tell  me,  sir~I  know  better!" 

swerI5r"Jo^"Eo^cd,r"  '"""^'  ^"^^""^'"  ^'^^^  -■ 

YoVkn'Sw  wh^^h''  ^''^"  '"'T^'"'  *^°"^h  'hat's  bad  enc  gh. 
of  laSorLd  of— ?'.?"«^"^  '^'^^^'•-  ^V^-^ts  says :  •  In  wofks 

gZedD^Je.   ""'''   Ro^nna;i  know;  ^.«V  repeat  it," 

voicf  "^iDl'.Vnf^^"  '  it's  worse,  Duke  !"  in  her  cruellest 
ft'MX    ??"'P'^evariqatetome.    You  have  fallen  in  luve  " 

m^.f    I      ^V      f'    "^^^^ro'^er  could  hardly  have  looked 

rdbvnlX'h'^lS^'^-    rf!''^°^^'^^^h--'teVbyday 
To  .rk^M?    u*'F?r'^^"''^"'  ^*^«»  to  ^^ar  an  opal  ring  iJ 

^^l^i^.^^:^^  ^  thrilling  pause. 

Th,r-P°[i:  "*y.'«^ord,  Rosanna,  there  u  rio  youn-r  woman 
That  IS,  tliere  isn't-she  doesn't-I  meanll/"^  ' 

Kosanna  shook  her  head  bitterly 
it  do^r  hT-'"  ""^'^  plausible,  no  doubt,  brother  Duke,  but 
Oh  Duke  havrr  r-    7^^'^  '^"'^'  '^'  doesn't/ in.  le.^ 
stmed  thpV.?!  V  *»~"8^h'>""  "P  to  this  time  of  day.  and  in- 
filled the  catechism  mto  you,  only  to  see  you  come'  o  thU  ? 
The  theatre  was  bad  enough,  but  to  fall  in  love  .°  l^d  n^L 

Cf  th^ts^yP?.^'  "^"^'^^  '    ^"''^  •'  '  comma^S'U^l' 


don 
_crime 


"There  is  no  hussy  in  the  case,  and  I'm  not  in  love  and  I 
)n  t  want  to  get  married.  Good  G  acious  I  RosaZf'^fJ 

Jiotton  ori^t?4'^^ar^i?n^^^ 

postww,    l?gn'<  mind,  RQwuoi    rn^^-^**  ■   ^''^«*  *^« 


•M" 


■■,^:,.y*fiK 


htit  repeat  it," 


thrilling^  pause. 


tn  FotmTBMVTtt  09  iCnrt, 


"""^fg 


SI 


f^»  boanced  off  his  ladder,  and  rushed  to  the  dont.  Tin 
MSUiian  handed  htm  two  letters,  both  a^jdressed  to  h)in«d£ 
RoAanna  Mason  had  never  been  guihy  of  epistolary  foUiei. 
any  niote  than  other  folUes,  in  het  life.  One  was  from  TinaH 
k  S|}angie,  reproving  him  sharply  for  recent  unpunctuality,  aM* 
cotnnundvng  an  early  attendance  in  the  orchestra  that  evewiia 
-  on  pa^  of  a  heav>  6oe.  Ihike  flung  this  to  the  farthest  xMt- 
ttcr  of  the  room,  and  glanced  at  the  other.  Siipiicry  wh>tf 
•tin  paper,  a  faint  oJor  of  peHume,  a  delicate,  spidery  fenub 
h^  a  blue  wax  seal,  with  crest  and  a  motta.  All  the  blood  ia 
Mr  MawvQ's  artenea  rushed  into  his  face;  and  there  stood 
Ros^na— that  frigvl  vestal  virgin,  with  piercing  eyes  hxed  od 
thai  furiously  blushing  (ace.  She  saw  his  look,  and  answered  it 
with  stinging  sarcasm. 

"  Oh  I  doat  mind  me.  Read  your  letter,  by  aU  meaiii,  ai^ 
then  tell  me,  when  I  ask  you  who  it's  from,  tha«>.*  there  isn't -^' 
.  she  doesn't  •■— that  'there's  no  Lul)  in  the  case'— and  that  youVe 
•  no  notion  of  being  iftarried.'  I*ont  mind  adding  a  few  n-ore  ^ 
(alsehcKHls  td  your  alrewly  overburdened  conscience.  Read 
four  letter,  unhappy  young  inan,  and  teU  me  it's  from  thoaa 
play-actor  men,  irho  employ  you  in  their  godless  work,  if  voo 
dire ! "  " 

One  glance  of  scorn  and  sorrow  combined,  and  Miss  Masov 
stalked  out  to  the  kitchen.  With  a  tort  o.  groan  th«?  badiierctf 
scene  painter  0|iened  the  dainty  nutttvc,  and  read : 

••  Voupromisffto  come  te  wu,  if  isMtuU  eier  ivant ycu,  Thi 
Hme  has  come  when  it  remains  forymtto  keep  that  ptomise.     Il 

come,  at  three  if  clock  tomorrow  mormiiff,  to  the  address  below. 
Be  at  the  area  ^ate  at  that  ttme,  and  you  wtll  tonfer  a  drathUs* 
w'l^wn  on  her  whom  you  onci  to  generously  served.     O  L" 

There  was  an  address  at  the  bottom  of  this  note— the  num. 

bet  of  a  honse  tr.  Paik  Une     And  the  blood  left  Duke's  face. 

r,    *  *"°'^  ^l'""  '*"  '^'"'"gh  h»n>»  M  he  thought  d  the  dre3 

Jil  vossiJu'ities  involved.     Did  she  want  him  lo  run  away  with 

her  again  ?     Wasn't  it  a  penal  offence  to  elo|H:  with  an  heucM  ? 

He  wasi.  t  sure— his  knowledge  of  Ulacksione  was  foggy.  And 

«je  would  want  htm  t>  go  to  France  with  her,  and  hSTrcputa. 

jon  wa*  at  stake  not  to  s|ieak  of  his  time;  and  what  womH 

Xusaniia  ?— no,  he  couldn't  bear  to  think  what  Roaannc  would 

yM»*nU^lHitfon  as  Utia.     ffefoldedlRe  letter  up.  ai^ViaS"" 

LS3  ^  cavernoua  depths  of  his  biggest  uodiet,  and 

loakad  ^MictwOv  oot  at  tba  red  U«hi  in  the  tky.    iki  three  «■ 


-•t 


lE^jSiit'k'^cit  lA-jy,..  \ 


U- 


"-^•(^  ■ 


ft 


rjn  POVRTtiENTB  09   UPMtL, 


*e  morning  I  Why,  there  was  something  anholy  in  the  very 
•our— «  smacked  of  gunpowder  plots,  and  Secret  assassins 
Jon.  If  he  were  seen  hovering  about  a  gentleman's  area^  al 
ftree  m  the  mommg,  what  would  the  policemen  who  suard 
Park  I^ne  dream,  but  of  burglary  ?  And  if  he  were  cauxht 
leaving  the  house  with  the  young  bdy  I  ^^ 

/"l  worii  leave  the  house  with  her  I"  resolved  Mr.  Mason. 

j!^x'  »m  ^  *''  ''"^  P''*^"^'  *"<*  *"  **^  *>"»  ^'"  "ceher  farthS 
H  .?^'?  ^^^"f  ^^^  nobody  any  more.     Adventures  ake 

V  TX  '^'l^  **"'  ''^  "***»«f  ^"^e  part  «  them  on  the  stase  d 
Je  ftitannia  than  in  private  life.  Til  go-I  would  be  a  brute 
to  refuse— and  what  excuse  will  I  make  to  Rosanna?  Not 
ftat  It  matters  mucn,  for  sns  won't  beUeve  me,  let  me  fabricate 
irhat  1  please." 

n.*^*L''°**'  *"**•  P**^*^*^  "*^'y  "P  *"**  ^o^  *«  pallor,  f««eHng 
Oke  the  wretched  conspirator  he  was.  He  could  hear  Rosanna 
busthng  about  t|ie  kitchen,  the  clatter  of  cups  and  saucers,  ind 
ntte  general  preparation  for  tea. 

"  I'll  have  to  suvoa:  all  night,"  mused  Duke.  "  I  couldn't 
sleep  If  I  went  to  Ded.  What  can  she  want  ?  I  thought  she 
promised  to  marry  Sir  Vane  Charteris.  It  was  bad  enough  to 
run  away  with  a  young  lady.  It  would  be  worse  to  run  awav 
•nth  a  baronet's  wife."  ,  ' 

"  Come  to  supiier."  called  Rosanna,  and  Duke  went'  out  to 
the  kKchen,  which  was  also  the  dining-room,  meekly,  and  with 
all  his  wrongdoing  palpable  in  his  (ace.  How  was  he  to  <lnnk 
?*^  .^*f»  *"''  «^*»  *hces  off  a  stale  quartern,  with  that  secret  on 
his  mmd,  and  that  letter  buried  in  his  pocket  ?  He  rose  after 
two  or  three  gulps  swallowed  spasmodically.  Rosanna,  eadng 
with  the  p->werful  appetite  of  strong  virtue  that  can  reh&h  weak 
tea  and  stale  oread,  saw  all  his  confusion. 

♦•  You  i.etxln  t  sit  up  for  me,  Rosanna,"  the  artist  said,  with 
nervous  \\yxxrf.  "I  shan't  be  home  to-night  Tinsel  At  Siian 
J  /^^'«>'^"  blowing  me  up  for  laziness,  and  1  shall  »rork 
*>ob.e  tJdes  to  make  up  for  it  I  shaU  work  at  the  Hnr<mnia 
wntU   three  or    four    this    morning,  and— ah— good-evening, 

lies  were  not  at  aU  in  Duke  Mason's  way-this  was  a  mild 

•ne  but  still  It  nearly  choked  hun.     And,  of  course.  Rosanna 

iKl  n.)t  believe  one  word     She  hstened.  and  ate  on  in  ominous 

gence,  making  no  response  to  the  fraternal  good  night ;  and 

^DUke  drew     ''      ^ "      ^"^      '  "   " 


»ng  no  resjionse  to  the  fraternal  good  night ;  and 
«1oaglir«ifi^as  Be  dosed  the  street  door  behind 
and  humed  on  his  way.    A  blue,  silvery  base  filled  the 


•^■>r\ 


/ 


ft^  fOUBTEBNTH  OP  AntIL,  j| 

*«rt^  ^hroQgh  which  the  gas  lamps  twinkl«jd     One  or  twc 

Aat^  the  town.  I>uke  took  an  pmnibus,  and  reach^l  ^ 
fnT  Tf"Tr  ?  ''"  f"""  »>«"'  *»^*"  he  had  done  fo/w«S 
WnwJ  K*!,  ?»'*"«*  .congratulated  themselves  that  lej 
blow  ng  up  had  done  their  second  violinist  good. 

All  through  the  five  acts  of  the  melodraml  fhaJ  night  Dnki'f 
thoughts  were  away  m  Park  Lane,  and  he  played  fal« "«« 
imd  sometimes  forgot  to  play  altogether.  It  was  an  uhu°^r^ 
ble  relief  when  the  curtain  fell,  aiul  the  audience  13  on 
ujto  the  starht  mght,  and  he  was  free  to  think  L  hTp^as^ 
It  was  just  eleven.  He  turned  away  from  the  iteatre  ^ 
Jis  feethalf  pnconsciously  took  him  to  Park  I  ane  He  fo^d 
the  h^Hi^e  sought  easily  enough-a  big.  black-looking  JZs^ 

mU«ts  gleamed  along  ,ts  aristocratic  f.ont  A  little 
^^^^;^^  »""g  string  of  carriages  blocking  the  way.  toW 

- 1  wonder  if  she  is  at  it  ?  "  Duke  thought.  "  I  wonder  whv 
Jhe  couldn't  have  fixed  one  in  the  mori^ng.  instep  of  thrle? 
Kow  am  1  lo  get  through  the  next  two  houS?"  '^ 

th7nf  T'^^V^  ^^"^y  brilliantly,  the  stars  were  numberless, 
the  nighi  mild  as  mulsumnier.     This,  at  leai.»   J«  ,T!1  i^ 

of  tu,„t    WuukI  she  cirry  hln,  „'ff  to  Paris?     An,  hura- 
oeatwepersistcnt   tnough  could  always  do  as  C  .Tj^^ 

never  tUie  to  &ce  her  again— never  I "  /      "*,  i  u 

/ttv/  by  the  numberless  city  steeples.     Dukt  lit  a  <^--.. 

hi  e^eTf^ISfl^niy^^  *  strange,  long  night  it^wa..    would 
■•  y "  'wgc'Tr— «ndliow  was  it  going  to  end  ?" 

wvw»Di^»L«ne_tt*,„W  1^  tl«c»hei>li«Mich«lit. 


^ 

'« 


# 


»,i£l    -.  'jka^A^   ho.'  *£.'*.  »tv»    I  ^ik?;  'S    '     <    .; 


■■^■■^' 


S4  #a»  FoufrBBtn'v  op  MPMiZ, 

oght    gUnce^at  hun  inquiringly-one  or  twS^Sted  2d«J 
^ans  he  passed,  a  few  hansom  cabs  tore  bv  him  T^th  r?.  k^ 
Of  abnoonal  hours,  but  the  aristocratic  s'rSts  of  J.eW^^^^ 
by  very  still  under  the  stars.     A  feeling  of  awe  ca^e  ovlf^f 

»p  a.    he  dlsnuU  unlighled  rajnaon.  -Sen  .^o  d*Lnd  .iS 
•"Jdenly.  .„,!  .w^ftly  laid  on  hi..     11,  „an«L  S  b«S.  .^ 

"  I  am." 

"  nr"  "T  *^!."*^*  ^^^^'^  who  lent  for  you  ?  " 

He  d«cen<lcd  thi  are.  step^  and  stood  beside  her     ^ 
^  a  ull  youn^  won^an,  but  she  was  «W  Miss  I^i^dillJ 

ctLT^^'  '*'''*!'  r"*'"  '^'  8i/«  -aid.  answer,  that  look. 
Takeoff  your  shoei     The  least  noise  may  betray  u?' 
luke  obeyed.     H^descrip„on  of  herself  w«  rather  ua. 
intelhgible.  though,     'he  child's  nurse  I  and  what  had  h.^ 

tev;  :i;^%n  r\  "^^  --'^  *  ^^  ^^^  "^»eL: 

•f  Weps.  and  (jund  huniclf  in  a  lofty^omed  a^d  canSJd  K 

m^  r'f^n  r"**^  ^*  ^T^  "  ^^""^^  followed  he^  to  a  siJo^ 
midy  hall,  hung  wuh  pictures,  and  lighr.d  by  a7arKe\!St^ 
inndcw.  A  any  doors  we  e  on  eithef  side  ;  one  of  thei  S! 
jpe^d,  mot.on.ng  the  wandering  Duke  to  follow!  and  heToutS 
bTtwl  wa A'*T""'  »"^ r'/g*nt  anttchaniber/di^y  uTS 
S  r?-*^^, Z^"*^'*"^^"  »P^"i..en>  n.ore  luKuri^a  and  hf  "!S 
ili  than  a..y  the  scene-painter  had  ever  >>ehdd  ^* 

il»c  C<»r«i  Cfvei  of  t^e  DisnuJ  I>ep  an  v«|  duite 


.4 


*  iiiSi*^  ,^,s/a 


J. 


■j :. 


'S^;:-.',...!^! 


iwr-'-^ 


na  PounnESTd  op  AFht, 


IS 


•Jodej.  no  doubt,"  he  thought  "but  for  permaHcnce  sive  »r 
a  big  blick  hoitsr  in  Park  I,ane  "  "«Hcnce  give  ar 

-  W*.t.here."  the  girl  •ai;;  laironically.'    A  second  after  lift 

••  It's  uncommonly  like  the  Arabian  Ninhts."  m-'sed  Vr  iu. 
«n.  takink  a  «eat  u,H,n  a  velvet  fauteu!.  .^hT^e^if  ASSI 
Hassan  ^Is  4slee,.  at  th^  gates  of  Bagdad  and  wakes  to  toJ 

iLw  ^?T!!'  "-^"f^'^  ""*^  ^^«  thedazzSngV?nc«; 
af  China^     1  shall  awake  presently,  no  doubt,  and  hear  "th* 

*e  Jutle  chu„ney.sweep  uptairs  starting  on  L^wSi^ 

SngZ:i^;r2t;s^:tf-^?^ 

arid  blacker  than  ever  in  her  suuJl  Date^L7     a  u^'^J 

Ij.  ha^in  both  her  owl  «  T^f  rnln'Srabie'^r^^^^^^^ 
,    A^;^  had  parted,  and  looked  athim  with  her  darCsoremn 

•J  ^  ^\iZ  ^  ''""''J  CQ'n^'"  she  said.     « I  knew  I  might  trust 
JDU.     I  hkve,^nt  for  you  dn  a  matter  of  life  ihd  death  ioA^^ 
uTr-'T^y'  ^<>^/-^»  '"y  we<lding-<lay.*    ■  "^  ""* 

iJu^il  T^'t ' " ■^^'-  ^*^""  r^«l>onde.Ueding  that  poUtenes. 
wqmred  Hm.  to  ay  something,  and  wondering  if  yuZ  S 
tenerally  regarded  their  weddina<iavs  as  matr^r,  r!f^f        J 
S^aO,  and  what  she  could  p.-^ilSyTirof  A^S  ^I^ 

ni  .h.T^  "*  ^**^'  *  *'"•  '  ^'  8«'"8  ^«  "'ar^  a  man  whom 
J^  /."'"'  "°J  re„H.ct-.a  man\ihom  I  fear7  For  mv^?f  ? 
does  not^  much  n.atter.  1  don't  care  what  become  oPS 
dicrc  was  a  desperate  recklessness  in  her:  tone^wd  l^.k  ^i* 

S:iwaW  T  ^^aTh.lS"'^^^^^^^^       ^""^-^'-^  "^-^ 

have  pr^^nised  ll  ^^^'l.]^^^^^^^^^^ 

TTm.  very^day,  nnmed.a.ely  aft^ir  the^e/emL^T^  L^^^ 


1% 
> 


'*X 


« . 


f 


tti«hSd«lJ^1  ^'"i'    T   •**"*   him-her   life'would  ht 

Mgted  «  her  mothei^s  has  been.     She  must  be  removed  oS 

»—  kiuiriAd«c  and  out  of  their  power.    Thatii  ^7a1iSI 


V .» ■ 


^*    J?.  JL  .     It.'-   ^ 


r;M 


y»v 


k 


i!  i 


5*      .    ,^}j'ot;iir£^jyTir  OP  APRIL, 

•w  away  with  you  to-niffht  ?    Will  ««»  T      i!  i  ^"^^  "** 

paiO,  a/id,  If  It  li  ever  m  my  iwwer,  I  will  clam.  h..r     V^  r. 

tu*  head  was  in  an, utter  wl,irl  ^'^  '"". 

like  .  cre«„,e  half  I  ?a"2"^  ^'^   he"  T.'T'r'  "''=  »'•""«' 
l)uke'.  hand.       "^  ''°'"  """»''  "■  •^  c«.j3\ 


iiKh 


not  bew  live  minutes  in  the  hou^TaUoKcthtt 
u>  •  dreuny  .woon.  he  foUawed  toe  .ouiii..  lEroS 


•  ^ 


^t*^^ 


..  '^.i^^i.'!^- 


Jidb  uid  lUirwajn,  ontQ  once  more  thejr  atood  ii»Jer  tht 

J*  Pat c«  your  thoea^^Uie girl  said;  "you  wfllfindacaiv^wj 
ojermthatd^ecuon.    ITie  baby  wiU  nit  awake  until  yoT^ 

a.e  prewed  the  child  mvn  him.    He  took  it  mecharJcali, 

J  S^d^overls  '^  t  UMcr„:2L  ti\"^'  '""^ 

K__ji.  5„  u;-  'c  •..'rf^  »  poucenum,  with  a  susnicioot 

bundle  in  his  anns.     Still,  like  a  man  in  a  d^ea..^  he  starte*!  f« 

•und.  and  in  five  minutes  more  was  rattling  over  the-stinv 
streets,  Hloomsburyward.     Then  he  opened^the  shawL     SJ 

kissed  the  lovely  sleeping  face,  framed  in  nny  flaxen  curls. 

,A  V  u*"**  K^  *^*'"8  "  »»*^"^«-  1'^»  WM  how  the  ad 
venture  of  this  night  had  ended.  And  he  had  said  he  w^^ 
painnng  at  the  Royal  BriUnnii  until  daylight         '''''"^^ 

iJ  ^n^^A^  li^^'l'  "  ***""«*»»  ^-  Ma»on.tis  very  heart 
Ing  to  die  withm  hun.    -What  wiU  lU^anna  myf'^ 


CRAPTEl  VII. 


AT  «T.  amwa\  junovn  squam. 

I^IiTlI?'"  7*"  J""*™**.  *•  the  hansom  tore  thronA 
the  quiet  streets  oT  Bloomsbury,  waking  the  iSaTfi 
rite-paying  respectable,  third-class  inhibita^J"  ^ 

Maion  hJa  not  «?/"***"?•      ^"r  **   ""^  »   phenomenon    Z 
Mawn  had  not  often  witnessed  in  the  course  of  his  cl»«-k  vn^ 

£i  .nM       T  *  **'."*"^*  ««»«»•     H>^tooked  at  i?  noV2 
Se  wC^sk'rl^Xrii'ed^^^^  ««^  dee ^TSiS 


c^lffie  dock,  the  hats 


HiM<4«tr».  —-4        u  ""^  •*="/«»  oi  me  <toc*,  the  hats  •«' 
•wna aawwjj)  "Giiilty  or  Not  Gu%/         -    -«■•». jt 


tht 


•i  ■ 

'if  ■ 


■|.l 
'J.» 


- » ,  I  j»*?;'4.>f  &  «*ik'»t* 


^.^  ^j^^-'.a^ 


h.. 


■."V 


18  '^     MT  sr,^Mo»€rs,  BAifortu  sqvamm. 


1; 


puke  .hnink  guiltily  even  from  ktm.     The  cobbKr^r  "h^^.^ 

hllli!J^.k       '^^^  °!  *"'  *****«'   ''«ro.  might    have  auailed 
P-tedaylight  s>rea,„mg  in  through  the  one  wJTg^J;^  Duke 

o^r.prcppiceandbrVakyoTn:J,;.\Hu^^ 

«yncdi,Jtrou.£~^at^!^r;^^  »-V 

"  Not  on  I/,  perhaps— but  its  moiher— " 
Go^^^LT'^*''  either-w  help  n.e  I  untfl  three  w«k,  ,,«, 

£.  uTeJe-r  t:  ^'c^d^tilf  ^S  ^^.^ ^ 


rgh,  if  Shi:      „1  iTfi.T"'  *y°^  '"^  it»^ n»tl»«^ 
i«  iTiillir^'  ""'  ^  ^'  ^"*  U»e,  tfuee  weelT^ 


tf 


*  And  yet  you  fetch  the  child  home  I  Mfaguided  vonnc  man  I 
th  jrou  ei|>eci  me  to  believe  sMch  a  story  as  this  ?  " 

*  J  eai^ct  you  to  believe  the  truth.  Don't  stare  at  me  ia 
tta- uncomfortable  way,  Kosanna,  as  if  you  were  the  Coif  cn'i 
heal  f  you'U  take  the  child,  I'll  shut  the  door,  and  telf  •oJ 
ac  whole  s-ory.  1  din'i  know  what  to  do  with  it.  and  here, 
iri  waking  up. '  .7 

Miss  Mason  took  the  baby.     Even  A^hOles  Had  a  vulnetm 
Me  fpot  somewhere  in  his  heel,  and  Miss  Mason  had  one  ic 
fcei  hem  ;  a  child^  always  found  its  way  there  at  once.    She 
.ook.  It  with  wonderful    tenderness,  and    removed  the  shawl 
iltogether,  a  real    India  shawl,  she  saw  to  hea  great  amaze 
The  little  one  o|>ened  Us  eycs-two  big  blue  ^i,  and  looked 
with  a  baby  stare  of  wonder  up  in  her  face.     It  wasthe  pret- 
hest  little  thing  conceivable— a  child  of  a  year  and  a  ha  f  or 
n«.rc  with  little  chiselled  features,  a    rose-bud   mout^   and 
beautiful  blue  ey«L  crystal   clear.    -A  baby  girl  with    daintt 
embroidered  underdothing,  a  little  bluesilk  dress,  the  hue  ol 
her  eyes,  and  a  goW  chain  and  locket  round  her  neck.     C'ori 
osity  overcame  evehr  other  feeling,  even  virtuous  maiden  itt 
dignation,  in  the  brj;ast  of  Miss  Rosanna. 

thil' child  ?"*"*"'"  T^  ^^^'  ''^  **°*?  '*  mean,  and  who  ia 
"That's  more  t^I  knpw.;  I  don't  know  hernan.e.  noi^ 
her  age,  any  more  thak  the  dead  All  I  do  know  111  tell  you 
«ow.  Bat  first  you  may  keep  those  things."  He  drew  forth 
tfie  pocket-book.  "There's  i  hundred  founds  herrwK 
her  mothw  gave  me.  and  here's  a  ring,  also  given  me  by  hei 
aother  Now  *«./  look  like  that,  R^nna!  Miss  LyndioS 
Sn*iw  •'  **  "^'^  A^uikiei,  1  dare^say,  would  look  down 

••  il/«r  Lvndi^h  I  I  thought  vou  were  spe4|cing  of  this  chUd^i 
•Otittr,  Duke  ? '  F  osanna  iaid,  in  a  spectraT voice. 

So  I  am.  If  there's  anything,  wrong  it's  not  my'faulL 
Wi  a  very  queer  a&ir  from  first  to  last,  and  much  mire  like 
Kid  Ufe.^     *^'  "  '*'**  Britannia  than  the  events  of 

And  (hen  while  the  Wttie  one  lay  in  Miss  Mason's  arms,  alid 

C  ..♦t^i/'-'u'"^.**'^?'"'  ^**»y  ^y*^**  '^"'"^  *«nt  b»ck  to 
SI..  ?n  il^y^f';^  "1^  \?1^  the  story  of  ttm  night,  alj  he  ha^_ 
hi?*ti!.-J"  y     '^     IhifiKraslhe  cause  ofhis  dr«ramine«i^ 
Wjabjenceof  mind,  the   change  she   had   noticed   in   him! 
»■«•  nm  pMduced  the  ikfCe  of  the  previous 


1  *"  j'i*i*w.  i.at 


.1; 


y 


1? 


I 


■%n 


s4*5s»J'  •rnft,  i.  >r  1  Unswilm^fe 


"Doiy." 

>.SSrs*X"?.'i:a  .•fLt"  '^^  °^'  -'  "•-"■^ 

"  Perhaps  it's  her  nurse."  he  iiii#»m»m1      u  t  .w  l 

-A '  "'W^r* j^.tii  -i^r^.  1-^2 

•okj  like  Mm  Lyndith,  too,,|||«it  the  nose'Zi  chL,  «Sd 
Ithike,"  hit  sister  said,  stemlv.  '*nmvt^  w  ^-  u       .u- 

»«M9  n  Niw  nlk;  "but  speak  na  umm  of  «  aeatiue  itS 


.E.<4V  A  ».!><» 


•\^^k»!*i 


^^' 


befiUleli  hfaa 
?vei    reaj  « 

et  Aii  tb( 
rich,  «M  i 
nd  tot  thlt 
— .  Kui  ahc 
ie  beauHful 
ttiseli^ea  up. 

lerable  spdJ 

Nature  had 

nother.     A 

raised  the 

r  life.     Mj 


astoucdod 

nk  now, 
ler  rbom." 
.     "Pully 
ot  to  get 

tractedljr : 
k." 
ireu  and 

Mifcj  aiis 

mirijigbr,- 
er.  Sht 
iun,  aad 

hear  tha 


4r  ST.  gmohg^s,  ffAmvrjt  squamI 


A 


the  tiaj 
ore  1' 


h. 


teOi  yoa  this  u  her  wedding-day,  who  \i  cal'ed  JwiT  Ltmlith, 
and  whd  owns  this  child  to  be  hers.  She  has  rciason  to  b« 
thankful,  poor  babe,  that  she  his  been  snatched  frdni  that  linl 
of  corruption,  the  fashionable  world,  at  so  -^arly  anjage." 

The  poor  babe  did  not  seem  particularly  ths-nkfijil 
.      After  calling  for  "  Dozy"  two  or  three  ti-nes  ih  lain  Poll) 
fpened  hr r  cherub  mouth,  and  set  up  snch  4  falowl  aa  matM 
Rosanna's  biood  curdle  with  new  terror.  ,  7 

"  Ditke,"  she  cried,  aghast,  "what  will  the  neighbors  Mf  I 
we  can't  tell  them  this  almminable  storv  y«>u  have  just  tcW 
tne,  and  we  must  account  for  the  child  in  some  ^ay.  What  is 
to  be  done  ?  "  / 

"Tell  a  lie,"  said  Duk^  « there's  no  o»her  iiay.-^1Ve  nave 
a  cousin  down  in  th^  country,  or  up  in  the  liioon,  who  hat 
joPt  toes  up,  and  |pft  us  his  only  child,  »•  an  heirloom.  The 
W)usm  was  a  male  fcousin  by  the  name  of  Mwoiji.  Her  natoe'i 
Polly  Mason.  Polly,  I  don'r  cotton  to  that  cognomen  some 
now.  She  looks  like  l^uisa  Victoria,  or  F.ukenia,  01  Evan 
gehne.  PoIl>''s  common  for  such  a  little  g^ntliTwoi.ian  as  that- 
ill  call  her  Duchess— she  looks  one— I'm  l>uke— she's  DticSi 
MS,  by  George  I"  aiid  Duke  laughed  bovi^hlf  at  hi*  ow« 
conceit.  It  was  such  a  relief  to  have  thc^  story  told  and 
Rosanna  pacjfied. 

••  Little  Duchess— little  Polly,  come  herei  and  give  me  « 

But  Polly  had  a  temper,  and  flung  herself  aw*y,  and  wailed 
hsmally  for  "  Dozy,  and  her  bek-fas  I "  "  Q^i  way,"  she  cried. 
Japping  Duke's  proffered  face:  "  You's  a  big.  \y^j  man,  and 
his  IS  a  ugly  place,  and  «he'8  a  ugly  thing,  too.  Oh,  Polly 
rams  Dozy !     Polly  wants  her  bed  and  milk  I" 

"P.illy  sh.ill  have  bread  and  milk,"  Miss  l|ifasoP  said,  sooth- 
flfiy  ;  "only  do  be  quiet,  dear.  1  8up|)ose  we  niu<i  fabncatt 
J,  stoiv  for  the  neighbors,  Duke  ;  and  may  tl]ie  Loid  forgive  oji. 
Dnt  can't  touch  pitch  without  being  defiled.  We  can't  have 
to  do  with  Ae  wicked  ones  of  the  earth,  withuat  ftbaxws  in 
Iheir  wickedness."  /  ^ 

"  ^nd  as  I've  been  np  aU  night,  RoSu/na,  Til  turn  «n  until 
nrnkfast  tune,"  Duke  answere<CL "  rout  i^iie  out  at  half  t»m 
aght.  I  aan  going  to  strike  work  this  nibming,  and  go  to  St 
aeogtf*.  Hanover  Square.  aM  mingle  i^jiohf,  bloated  jma 
ooacy,  ana  see  this  young  lady's  mamnik  married  Beg  T09 
tivdon,  Rosanna,  for  alluding  to  her-il  won't  do  it 
1lpil|^4ickena  of  a  tenqier  the  little  angel  haa  1" 


/ 


*v.-- 


%■■■'.. 

»  ^r  ST,  U'MOMGM>S,  tfAffOVBtt 


\ 


tSTf. 


'I*  went  to 


"W  almo.!  excited     A  S  .?.  j  "'"  ""  »  "^  «Im 

.  |»ur  of  „e,  shoe     I,  ,o>.ld  ?ol  ,'urch«LTfe;f    V*  '  •'' 
the  Kr#ren  heart  of  meii^  l-     i     !i       I'urcnase  a  larin  down  w 

called  the  little  oxx^L^r  IZ^J^      \    T^t^   *»  *«"•      »>» 
•hor,  curl  of  aubJS  hlfr'and  thTr;    ^''%'^'^'^»-     *»  h^W  a 

lifelike,  from"hf  roW^lLMi„?''1^"'r  *'  ^^'^^^l  ^niUng, 
held  things  for  ihelouS^  I^H  »f."  /  *'""  fl^''**''''/.  that  life 
known-Lu  iJul  \7^1  i^eJT.J'""'*'  *^"^^  ^'^'^  ^ad  never  ^ 
forty.year^>Id  rik      Sh.^T^^    u'^^'rf '"*^  '^'""^  i"  her 
child  ilmos  as  e^u  i^%f*'^*^  ^*^  '*^'''^»'  and  kissed  the 

Therr  has  been  a  infat  J«fno  T  '     *'°°'  ''1'*^  '''*Hy  baby  1 
to  Ry  the  A"afry^  WeTSfeiTi?  *^<= 

Ai  hair,us.  eight  precisely,  she  immoned'ajEto  brt^ak 

?*V.  J*"^  y°""g  "'an  found  his  sister  in  be««  ^^.S 

TWe  if  a^'  ''^^  -ver  kno#n  her  in  his  "fe  at  Siis^K? 
mere  are  airreat  manv  iifr>i>ui»  »i.;-.        1 1  •^•''Ffwn'ur. 

of  tl»  child,  ™  doiSt  "  ""  '""^^'"8  iiUlue«J 


^■ke  «te  hi.  iMxsdtliut,  «t«ed  <*  «  M  n^A|  p^  ^  ^^ 


..  I 


.,1 


'Wj 


013  1 


Sr  V  7  ^<i.i^ 


"-^^w 


•-  ivfi: 


with   aoBM 
a  wi)r,  shf 


d,  and 


sr  that  ftta 
tie  t}up^%  (0 
er.  A  n?« 
vers  a  D*« 
occnbuan^ 
erhajjs,  and 
in  down  in 

so  much  m 
hi  ngs — but 

ept  for  tiir 
velL      Sht 
ItheMa 
)g  ritan-  -a 
iti  sinilvng, 
^  that   life 
had  never ' 
itly  in  her 
[issed  the 
ave  done. 

f  yWu  are 
iiUl  bring 


i  natiu^ 
propef'^ 
ioAueiu^ 

tor,  wid\ 
r  rhaiis, 
vs  opfio 

'."    She 


forHw 


/ 


^ 


'■•••fljK":/ 


^  9r.  OMOMGrs,  VAJfOrBM  9Qtr4MM,  i| 

i?.?!!?'  '**^'  ,*^  ^*-  ^-^wge'".  Hanover  Sqnar«jl  'fh^t 
mmW  be  no  end  of  a  row.  he  thought,  at  th<>  •cene-.oow  <if 
the  Bntannia  in  con»equen^e  of  h»  nonappcaram-*,  and  Tib 
«;  ft  Spangle  would  line  h.m.  venr  likely  j  but  a  man  who  » 
the  ha|,py  poitt|Mor  of  a  hunched  pounds  can  afford  to  defr 
the  n  iniot»»  of  the  theatre. 
"  ni  see  Miu  I.  tum«J  oH"  thorght  Duke,  elegantlf. « wrf 

aoldl  enough!" 


me-painter  reached  hig  deilfe 
***  -^-y.  wanif  ag*  mid  June.    A 

friages  hfled  the  street— 
fled  to  the  simple  denizen 

of  idlers  on  the  luokoat 

'  ipund  the  angles  of  one  of 


«ou 
ouu 


It  was  high^noon  when 
atior  —high-noon  on  a 
stately  procession  of  eL, 
-hajf.the  turnouts  in  Ma 
or;^alf-Mnon  Te 
t('  see  the  quality. 

(    Duke,  in  his  haste,  tnmi..^«r,.  p,„„a  me  angles  of  one  of 
Ihese  white-favore^  vehfclei  ran  violently  against  a  gentlenJm 
coining  m  equal  h^te  from  the  opposite  duection. 
"Heg  your  ,»ardon..  «r.     Ihdn  I  mean  anything  offensive. 
^  know  I"  Duke  said  pobtely.     "1   h<ipe  ;  tlvent  huS 

^The  gentleman  made  no  reply.     He  did  not  even  seem  to 

near  hiiiu     His  eyes  were  bjied  upon  the  chu/ch  with  a  hunirrv 

ttrained  inte«|ty  of  gaze.  «*  wiui  «  nun^, 

" Queer ^stoieti?'  Miw  Mason  thought,     "That   vouna 

rS.e'ir;:r^^"^1*'?***^"«  on  h,.  mmTlJe  is  a  «ntira^ 
I  take  It,  in  spite  of  his  rough  shootingjacket,  and  £reiirn  hat 
4e  has  somethmg  the  look  of  a  sailor  "  * 

-«»?'!  **•*  '"''^"»'  ^«  «»'i'^t  of  his  thoughts  turned  round 
**?  *  *»'dtlenne8S  quit'  disconcerting,  and  aiMreiigid  him  - 
^••Cau  you  tell  ^e  who  i.  being^mkmed  |^t£  ni,™. 

^ejU  shouldn't  like  to  mev  fo  It,  b«t  IJiink  Sir  Vm,. 

mW»k'I„  7***  ^7*"?**  *^"**  *^'  **»•»  "«*«  word  betwee. 

MS  teeth  in  a  way  familiar  to  Mr.  Mason  on  the  board*  of  thi 

.Jinunnia.     ••  And  to  whom  P  "  "^ 

"Well.  I  think  to  Miss  OUvU  I.ynditk    But  as  ij  I.  onh 

«P]ij>sjtK.n  on  my  pan,  sup|H>«e  we  step  in  and  ascettun  ?" 

«  gj,  T! '?*?'"  ^?^    *••*  stranger  said,  faUing  h»^k  m  t^ 
-^::-r«r^#t««Vefr«  wUte,  hurry  T**^    -  --■■ ^ —— -.  -r:»?:^ 

Drhcjiastened  in,  a  Uttle  sorpriaed.  bat  not  nraek 

"  1^  »^«»»»»  y«ui|  nun,  with  the  «ibi|ni  o«ii  api 


1 


'?. 


'.i 


jf 


4s0 


•^t^^^lm^^'^^  . 


.i^i 


i 


AT  Mr.  GMOKGVS,  BANOVEM  SQUAMM. 


) 


lenuffkibly  handsome    face,  shoidd  be  •Robert'   now,**'  h« 
diought :  «« and  she  should  r^ognize  him,  and  shrieking,  '  It 
IS  H«  I'  &U  swooning  at  his  feet,  it  would  be  quite  a  liveb 
.    %cene  for  St  George's." 

These  sort  of  rencontres  were  very  coihmon  on  the  stafe^ 
and  Duke  saw  no  reason  whjr  thejr  should  not  be  in  erer^v 
JifeaswelL 

He  led  the  way  into  the  church.  It  was  almost  filled  wi  r 
elegantly  dressed  people.  Two  weddings  were  going  on,  ai  A 
the  altar  was  quite  a  bewildering  s|)ectacle,  wjth  snow-whitfl 
and  azure-robed  ladifes,  and  solemnly  black  g^iitlemen.  One 
<rf  the  pew-opensrs  gave  them  a  place  near  the  door,  as  be- 
came their  shabby  coats  and  clumping  boots. 

The  stranger,  as  he  removed  his  hat,  Duke  saw  was  a  very 
lair  man,  despite  the  golden  bronze  of  his  skin  ;  and  the  fixe^ 
rigid  pallor  of  his  face,  the  wild  intensity  of  his  blue  eyes,  be- 
trayed that  his  interest  in  what  was  going  on  was  no  ordinafy  one. 

"  They're  coming ! "  Duke  said.  "  We've  missed  the  weddina 
after  alL     The  thing's  over." 

^  He  was  right.  The  newly-wedded  pairs  had  signed  the  reg 
ister,  and  were  sweeping  down  the  aisle.  The  first  bnde  was 
a  Junoesque  latly,  with  high  color  and  modestly  downcast  eyes. 
They  barely  glanced  at  her.  She  and  her  train  sailed  by.  The 
second  bndal  party  came^the  bride  this  time— there  was  no 
doubt  about  it— the  late  Miss  Olivia  l.yndith. 

It  is  proi>er,  of  course,  for  bndes  to  look  pale  at  this  supreme 
>Jiour  <rf  iheu  lives.  Thts  bnde  was  pale  beyond  all  ordinal  y 
pallor  of  bridehood.  Her  face  was  ghastly;  her  great  dark 
eyes  lookeil  blankly  straight  before  her,  with  a  fixed,  sightless 
iUi.e  i  her  very  lips  were  ashen.  The  bridegroom,  on  the  con- 
trary-a  portly,  undersized^  florid,  good-looking  man-wat 
flushed,  excited,  eSuHant  His  restless  black  eyes  moved*^ 
•bout  ceaselessly  in  a  quick,  nervous  sort  of  way.  ai4f  as  hf 
Arew  near,  the  strRger  sitting  beside  Duke  suddenly  rose  op. 

It  was  ini|X)ssible  not  to  look  at  him.  The  stony  bride  nevei 
lookrd,  certainly  ;  but  the  smiling  bridegroom  did ;  and  the 
^■"•l^'o«e.  and  the  florid  color  died  on  his  face,^and  an  awfid 
Jook%f  fear  transfixed  it  A  wordless  cry  appeared  to  rise 
and  die  ujhjo  his  li(>s.  He  seemed  for  an  insUnt  rooted  to  th« 
^Mi^  Then  the  crowd,  pushing  on,  bore  hun,  with  it,  and  Mr. 


■trsAfei  still  stood  jn  that  ngid  actitiule,  like  t  mao  iloyly  nf 


^f 


rv  <    ^s«'  if 


4 


■^'^  t 


/»; 


nom,''  h« 
eking,  '  II 
i  a  lively 


the  a 

,  en 


•tow 
eryday 


filled  wif 
igon,  ai.i 
now-whita 
en.  One 
or,  as  be- 
as  a  ven 
the  fixed, 

eyes,  be- 
inaly  one. 

wedding, 

i  the  reg 
bnde  was 
cast  eyes. 
I  by.  The 
e  was  no 

I  supreme 
ordinal  y 

reat  dark 
sighticsa 

I  the  con- 

lan — wai 

t4l  as  h« 
rose  a  p. 
ide  oevei 
and  the 
an  awful 
i  to  rise 
ed  to  th* 
and  Mr. 
m.-  Tht" 


V'- 


t  ">j  ^     C'Tl     --F  "*^ 


•^^  7TS-:;^^Y"'-^  ^}s^a'^-^<'^1^  i  -^ 


i:*"*   ^3"  1  w*  fo^ 


/ 


JIT  ST.  CMOMCrs,  WAN07MM  9QUAMM, 


^ 


"G«!  f-  thought  the  scene  painti^r,  "  I  rlidnM  think  any  hu- 
man being  Except  the  First  Murderer  of  the  Britannia  coiild 
glare  in  that  blood-freezing  way.  I  suppose  old  Quill  knowf 
what  he  is  about,  aflfcr  all,  when  he  writes  melodnunaa.  Thif 
must  be  Robert     I'll  aslf  him,  by  George  I"    . 

Duke  cleared  his  throat 

**  I  ifg  your  pardon,"  he  said,  "for  a  «eem!nj^  ^npenineBl 
fiestion,  but  might  your  name  be  Robert  t " 

"  Robert  ?  Yes,"  the  stranger  answered  mechanically.  Hi 
did  not  seem  surprised  at  the  question :  all  feeling  was  stupefied 
within  him.  < 

"  Oh,  it  is  I     Perhaps,  also.  It  may  be  Lisle  f  •* 

This  time  the  young  man  in  the  rough  jacket  did  ttim  roimd, 
ind  looked  at  his  questioner. 

•'  What  do  you  know  of  Robert  Lisle?  "  he  demanded. 

"  Well,  not  much,  only  I  have  heard  the  naine,  and  if  you 
were  Mr.  Li^le,  1  think  I  could  understand  better  your  very 
evident  intere^jt  in  th-:  lady  who  has  just  gone  by." 

The  young  man,  #hose  name  was  Robert,  laid  hiahand  heav 
ay  on  Duke's  shoulder. 

"  You  know  her,  then  ?  "  he  exclaimed.    "  You  I  •* 

"  Well,"  replie<l  Mr.  Mason,  ••  slightly.  I  have  had  the  honor 
of  doing  her  some  little  service  in  by -gone  hours,  and  though 
she  didn't  notice  me  this  morning,  we  have  been  very  friemllf 
and  confidential,  I  assure  you,  in  limes  past.  And  if  you  had 
been  Mr.  Robert  Lisle,  and  Atf^/  called  upon  hrr  yesterday,  I 
dare  say  she  would  have  been  pleaseil  to  see  you.  Yesterday 
she  was  Miss  Lyndith,  to-<lay  she  it  Lady  Charteris— all  the 
difterence  in  the  world,  you  understand" 

"  Then  she  has  spoken  of  me  to  you  ?  She  has  not  fbrsot 
ten— she— "  ^  * 

He  stopjied, ,his  voice  husk/,  his  eyes  like  live  coali. 

•*  She  has  not  for^rotlen — decidedly  not — but   at  the  saiM 

^^e  she  hasn't  sjioken  of  you  to  me.     You  are  Robert  Uala 

JRn  ?"  ^^ 

The  stranger  dropped  his  hand  and  turned  »br«pt1y  away. 

•*  My  nsiiie  is  Hawksley,"  ^e  said/coldly  ;  "  and  [  must  set 
6er.  Yes,  by  Heaven  I  "—he  clenched  his  strong  white  teeth 
— *•  come  what  may  I " 

"j  »ho")d  advise  you  to  hurry,  then,"  suggested  Duke,  pp. 

uhe. 


— iritAfi  *•  They  Stan  for  itatym  an  hoitfi  tUhe,  I  have  rel^ 
»  know,  and  if  you  miss  her  now  it's  all  UP  I  Hriiles  don't 
fBMnUy  racdve  stimnge  geotlemen  00  their  wedding  manii'^ 


/J,  • 


MS  AT  ST  GM6MSrS,  BdttOnM  MQUdMM, 

bat  this  seems  an  exreptioiuJ  ocraskm,  «n4  she  mmf  sc*  ymu 
Sb*U  I  iMilei  )ou  a  cab  and  tell  them  uliere  to  dnve  ?"  sftU 
Ooke  inwar<%  burning  with  curiosity. 

Ml.  Hawaale/  nodded  and  slouched  his  hat  down  jorm  hk 
Bjrw.  'Hie  last  of  the  aristocratic  vehicles  had  vanished  long 
before.  I  »uke  led  the  way  to  the  nearest  cab-stand,  and  en. 
Iwed  the  hansom  after  the  stranger.  Mr.  Hawksley  might 
Wdcr  hira  out,  but  he  was  willing  to  risk  it  Mr.  Hawksley  did 
,  aot,  howet^er  ;  he  sat  with  his  hat  over  his  brow,  his  arms  fold- 
ed, his  lips  compressed  under  that  beautiful,  uwny  beard,  the 
imole  way. 

"  He  looks  like  the  Corsair  by  Medora's  deathbed,"  reflect 
ed  Duke.  '*  He  has  a  verv  striking  pair  of  blue  eyes.  So  has 
bttle  Polly.  Now  wouldn't  it  be  r%ther  queer  if  (Mi.  Robert 
■awksley,  I  think  he  said,)  should  be  Polly's  father  >  " 

The  carriage  containing  Sir  Vane  Charteris  and  his  bfide 

cached  the  mansion  of  Mr.  Geiiftrey  l.yndith,  in  Park  Line. 

I>»e  silence  that  reigned  in  Duke's  hansom  reigned  also  in  this 

elegdnt  coach  and  four.     The  bride  sat  like  some  marble  biide, 

^  pale,  as  cold,  almost  as  hfeless — the  bridegroom  sat  witb  a 

leaden  tice  of  abject  fear; 

"  Dnl  Lyndith  see  him,  I  wonder  ^^  he  thought     "  He 
the  church  before  me.     To  be  balked  like  this  at  the  last 
after  waiting  so  long,  after  risking  so  much.     At  the  last  hour, 
when  the  game  is  all  my  own,  to  have  itm  start  up  as  if  from 
Ae  very  euih.     And  1  thou^t,  we  all  thought.  Mm  dead  two 
/ears  ago." 

He  let  down  the  glass  and  loosened  his  neckerchief ;  sone- 
ming  in  ihe  air  seemed  to  «huke  him.  He  glanced  at  his 
bride,  and  a  storm  of  rage  at  her,  at  himself,  at  (JeolTrey  Lyn- 
Olth,  SI  that  apparition  in  the  church,  swept  through  him, 

*'She  looks  ii»ore  hke  a  dead  woman  than  a  bnde.  What 
»lU  evety  one  say?  Why  cant  she  smile,  or  rouge,  or  do 
MMnrthirg  except  look  like  that— death  in  life  ?  I  scarcely 
«iiww  whether  I  love  or  hate  her  most— one  day  or  other  site 
ihail  pav  for  this.  And  to  think  there  should  have  been  a  child, 
too.  and  sjie  should  spirit  it  away.  She  has  the  cunninu  of  the 
«ld  fierd  when  she  likes." 

The  carriage  stopped.     He  descended,  and  hand«M)  his  bride 
Mt    1^  he  other  carriages  disgorged  themselves.     Tbe 
Jlc^iied  Mr.  I  .ynditi|t  he  motioned  him  a|»art -^ - ^ 

**C«ae  jaxm  the  library,"  be  w4.     ••  |  hitve  •  wwdl  t» 


t»-'r-  - 


V/ 


it 


,^.. 


;.'i; 


tVWi'&^J^''^ 


V  r  i 


\-'  f. 


^f 


ym: 


AT  ^T.  aMOMSfS,  SAJ^aVMM  SQU4MM,  tf 

^  .  Ml.  T^jmdith  led  the  way  insuntly     SometyBf  h»d  hapimnad 
He  read  u  in  Sir  Vane's  leaden  hice. 

**What   is   it?"  he  asked   nervoaaly.     "Qaick,  Charteris  / 
ihey  mil  wonder  at  otu  abacncfc     Let's  luve  it  iu  a, word." 

••  I  will.     Ruin  I"  ¥ 

"What?"  f 

•♦  Robert  Usle  is  aliVb  l~ii  here  i— I  n«  bdm  te  the  chnrdil'f 

'  Chartens,  are  you  mad  f" 

"  Nut  nuw  I  1  was  When  1  believed  four  story  of  IJalvfl 
team  I  teil  you  ihe  fellow  it  a%«,  and  here.  1  aaw>  him  in 
Jiuicb  as  we  cajiie  out*' 

"but,  great  Heaven,  Charteris  I  this%iust  be  tMy—mafi- 
ae%s  I  The  "  Ru>al  Charter"  was  burned  to  the  water's  edge, 
and  every  «ml  on  board  peiTshed.  And  fu  tailed  in  t!)e 
"  Royal  Charter."  ^1  lell  you  it  is  impossible  I '! 

"  And  1  tell  /#»  1  saw  Robert  Ltsle,  (ace  to  (ace,  as  Ileft  the 
church.  She  did  not,  or  1  think,  in  my  soul,  she  would  have 
drop{»ed  on  the  spot  %JIe  stood  up,  and  gave  me  a  look  I'm 
Doi  likely  to  foige*.  Car««J|,  l.yndith,"  he  cned,  in  a  ^dden 
^ry,  "do  you  tliink  I  umMl  mistake  him,  of  all  men?  ^eCon 
we  leave  the  house,  Robert  IJakt  wiU  be  hen:.''  - 

"(;reat  Heaven!"  « 

"  Ay,"  the  baronet  cried.  Wttetly.  "ym  wQ]  believe  ft  whea 
ae  conies.  There  will  be  a  W>v(»j||  •oene — a  beautiful  •enaatioa 
foi  fark  larc.  We  know  whai  lA*  will  Jo^  ii  she  once  catches 
sight  of  hiia  AU  the  story,  w  loog  hidden,  will  come  out,  and 
fo."  ( f eoffirev  1  .yridith  it  means  si&pTy  raia  I " 

'>  He  shall  tiot  see  her.     By'Obd,  he  shall  not  t" 

"  Prevent  the  meeting  if  yoo  can.  J|Ie  is  a  desperate  man 
-  if  ever  1  saw  desperation  in  humanfJeyea.  You  will  hnd  a 
dtiferent  tfian  from  the  Robert  luale  of  two  years  ago.  And 
IK4W,  as  you  say,  we  will  be  miaaed.  We  mtut  go  up  and  smile 
and  make  speeches,  and  play  our  part»  onti^the  spectre  appean 
at  the  fcMt" 

He  luide  out  of  the  library.  Mr.  Ljmdith  ftiUowed  hfan. 
1  here  w.k«  no  help  for  it — ^^their  abaencc  mm  already  conuiMmlad 
oc  by  th-u  iruesta.  The?  took  their  puuiet  at  the  table,  dtf 
igotter  with  silver  and  crystal;  and  everybody  noted  their  al> 
tersd  looks.  Such  a  ghaislly  bride,  and  such  a  strarge  paUot 
•0  the  faf:es  of  tlMK  host  and  Sir  Vane.     Something  wat  wi« 


e  iat:< 
rbodv 


everybody  w«tg<^defanousty"eir|jcctant  eg 
Vn^ai  they  waited  for  came.     The  breakfast  was  not  quartw 
,  when  a  k»Hick  thuiMlercd  at  the  grand  eniranc»-«n 


H.. 


fe!ij^»ii/.11'.  AlMu.. 


'•"♦*!- 


f^' 


■*■-■, 


-5^ 


i«i«gs»«atei  i,,  4«^«(.i 


6k 


"^ifmaruD  down  tom  wnni^ 


M. 


\S,!^^^"ir'*.^"^'^  *^**  thrilled  throagh  them  .IL   Sb 

Jjna  A  dead  «Jence  fell  In  that  silencTthe  iound  of  b 
al^rcation  4„  the  haU  reached  the...  in  tha.  distant  .jSut^t 
Mr.  Lyn^throse  abruptly -while  and  stan-ruaile  .  h^ 

SaTh  ni.     ^*  di'tuf banqe  was  quelled  ;  hut  Geoffrey  l.vh 
SSk^^**  f^T'.'^^     What  did  it  n.ean?     Even  thJ  X 
^  bnde  imed  her  heavy  eyes  and  looked  at  tiifeleadcp^ 
•r  the  mu  she  bad  Dymid,  and  waited  fox  what  wju  to  dSfcT 


*  .1 


'1 


•*■ 


CHAfTER  VIIL 

'WRBTLXD  DOWN  THE  WnSi.'' 

[EOFFREY  LYNDITlrs  (ace  wa,  an  md«.  o^  hii 
character-<j4rk.  item,  resolute.     \Vh,le  he  had  sat 
at  the  head  of  his  Ub!e,  s.niling  u|H)n  his  guests,  and' 
been  .f  Jnrw"'  15    "^'"^  mechanically,  his  rca.ly  brain  had 

Qscd  ro,  and  his  mind,  prompt  in  thought,  quick  in  acfioa 
^ppled  at  once  w^th  hi,  danger.  As  S.T  Vane  Charteri^  h5 
M^d.  the  coming  of  this  man  in  alUikelihood  ...eant  niin-ruin 
for  h...^  Geoffrey  Lyndiih,  Esquire,  of  L,-nd.ih  Grange  and 
rark  I,ane.  He  had  thought  the  man  dead  for  aiitain  :  h<  had 
driven  hiin  out  of  the  country  over  two  years  ago  and  the  ihin 
m  which  he  had  sailed  had  been  bn^ned^n  mSie^  arj  ,  J 
toul  lefl  to  return  and  Robert  1  Je  was  here  on  OUviA  w  d 

^i^^uu^^'^J^r'^^  "  ^""'^  »°  ^^^  »»'"».  he  iron 
Oered  ?     He  had  got  Robert  Lisle  in  his  |K>wer  two  yean  a£u. 

Df  a  cowardly  and  infamous  plot,  worthy  the  Newgate  aJen! 

•kr ;  that  power  he  still  held  over  him,  bat  who  knew?     HU 

part  m  It  might  co.n;  to  light  after  all,  and  what  horrible  shame  ' 

^^ST^.\^^  ''*'"'?  •"/"'/'^ '  ^"'^  *'  ^he  first  sound  oi 
wjjwjice,  at  the  first  sight  of  hft  face,  his  niece  would  Hy  to  hil 
•an,  to  dina  to  h.m  thrnn^  n. — ^^death.  if  ueed  wert.' 


»■•  WM  poor,  and  ui  tiece  was  nui;  ket  money  would  •!# 


,i',»k!,-    .i...' 


■K, 


■/■: 


X-i'iitLei.St^ 


'->>. 


« 


'  T*.<C 


-*•'  If  %- 


■^'  "^r    si.^**^^-' ^^^ 


[ 


^W3TSTZa.D  oOWN  THE   JTiiVA*  0| 

^keiaay.  Ready  money  waa  me  ore  great  want  of  thli  man*! 
lifie,  and  on  the  day  lie  coiiipeiled  his  niece  to  iiiarry  him,  Sfl 
Vane  Chartens  had  proiaised  hint  a  check  for  -ten  tliouk^uid 
'pdunda.  F.verytKing  had  gone  on  so  weU';  he  had  been  in  1 
|low  of  triumph^uii  exultation  for  a  few  weeks  past,  and  now— 
iind  fum  / 

Hi»  eyes  glo#ed  ^th  a  red,  evil  fire  as  he  (lescended  thf 
(tair' ioe  hta. teeth  ^t  behind  his  ^lack  beard.     He  could  con 
font  moiator  physical  danger  with  the  brute  courage  of  a  tiger 

"4^  man  always  gains,  "be  his  case  strong  or  weak,"  he  wai 
arrustoiiietk!'  to  say,  "by  facing  the^orst boltlly  ;  weaknSlttand 
vacillition  always  fail,  as  they  deserve  to  do."  It  was  .hii 
iheof>'  ami  he  acted  u|xm  it,  in  every  crisis  of  :tife,  and  up  to 
'this  tuiie/ha()  found  it  succeeded.  His  foce  looked  as  if  carved 
in  gr&ni/e,  as  he  descended  to  the  entrance  hall,  for  all  trepi* 
^^iion,  surpri&e,  angei,  fear^  or  an/  other  human  emotion  it  ma- 
Rlayed./  ,  ^'  ' -— _-^ 

A  p>prte^,  a  butler,  two  high  fo6tmen,  |11  were  formed  in  a 
body  ito  <)p]>ose  the  enemy — a  tall,  yuun|')nian  in  rough  coat  ^ 
and  broad  briiiiiiiifd  hat 

"We  can't  do  nothmk  with  him,  sir,"  the  buder  explained,  in 
an  mdignani  voice,  "which  he  says,  like  his  impidence,  aa  he 
ril'  s»?e  you,  Mr.  I.yndith.  sir." 

The  two  men  ItKikeo  each  other  1^11  in  the  face,  one  leveL 
'powe^-fiil  ga/.c      The   younger   man  took   off  his  hat     Oooo 
Meavrn  I  what  norrible  reason  Geoftey  Lyndith  had  to  know 
^ai  handsome,  sunburnt  face.  ' 

"  I  know  this  |>er8on,  Edwards,"  Mr.  I./ndith  said,  very 
fu^etly,  "  and  will  sec  hun.     Follow  zoe,  sir."  .  i^l/ 

He'  led  the  way  .to^^the  lihmry,  a  stately  apaT^Mt  fiCIed 
wi  h  bo>)lis  arid  bi^plr^and  bronzes,  and  into  whtchuie  noon 
iuri<iglit  tame,  softly  tem|>ered  through  closed  venCtiana. 
"lieoni-e)  I.yndith  rximetl  thfj  key  in  the  door,  (irnssed'^the  room, 
«a«.ed  his  elbow  upon  the  ggnison-velvet  mantel,  and  laced  ' 
Us  opi«onent  It  was  a  due^iv  the  death  ;  and  both  knew  it, 
10  q  larter  to  be  ask«^  or  given— one  or  tU|e|||^er  mujie  go 
lowp  before  :hey  left  that  rooiiL  ^W 

llie  gentleman  of  the  Old  Gtiard;  otherwiie  the  nusterof 
<fae  hou5e,  ^jcA  first. 

'"•^•w  IS  an-  exctcdingly  unexpected  honoft  HOD>rl  IiWifti 
Von  sailed  two  vears  and  a  half  ago  in  the  ship  *  Roya<  Charter,' 
loin  Souihaiiiptfm.  The  '  Roraf  Charter'  was  burned,  and  aB 
9n  iVMid  peiiaJl^ed.    May  1  asa  how  you  came  to  be  alive?"   - 


/ 


■•**« 


V^nttsTiMDi-pown  tbe 


»a»»«  ^3^  ^*^^  cool  ;   hl«   &CC 

■T*'«"HS#|  the  ftiieness  of  tht  weather,  anrf 


^  L»fe  aaswe<;i^ 

le  paiiengcr  lilt, 

an  acci<feili.-a  jr. 

WW*|:ibe'UV'^» 


A  * 


<\ 


.♦■  .\  I 


V^v 


ititfied.   I  congMtulate  4u i||)on 
ttxMtk*.  no  doubt.     You  were  wise 


"Prrtv 

^  .».  ™.:.«r  to'leava 

""  ♦.  •*  ^*«  certainly  nQ  pljtce  for  you, 
very  im^tfdent  a«  tor*tf urn  to  it  ?  " 

*       /v'"*^'  «**n  met  the  h^d,  a^jtoer- 
fiery  fwht.  '  I .         ^  •-««* 

a:^  jJ  V,  —•  <»»"»s^on.  <ieoffrey  lyndith  iM' 
^^"Ai-rtfedly.  Mr.  Ia8le-why7'r'^  r'% 

•I  hi^fe  returned  to  rlaim  mv  wife      T«  -JEL. 

rfnw  crfcZiT^^      «>n-J'.»«.e,  "you  hav,  Ut»  ..Ivanu^ 

Nwt^  U^  «,oa.  urnwd  h«,  .  M«n™..  Ugh.  in  U, 
-!>•  yon  <la«  to  .w  «  m_^  ^  j,         ^ 


•* 


And  if  yon  have 


>r  one  ,»oor  hour.     J^na  if  you  have  coh.e  to 
fc*W  ,uit  pome  two  year,  and  three  month.  to« 
rtn^m\*erytm  for  two  or  three  monthi  after 
f^P^fe  fron,  Kn,land  i  will  x^m..aad.tHen 

il>ek)ired  tlie 


lin  l-er   yog 

^•<bd 

|>  abrupt 


7 


t^lMMn' 


than  .he  had  ever 
•  loo,  mm  Ala 


/• 


\ 


/I  Cvitied 


l*.i«-,l.- 


,  ^r***  I  ', 


"s-^J^'^^-^Vr^Wp 

^^»>a?B,i'^^-ra^ 

^ 

1         * 

^ 

* 

,    _^ 

•0* 

'- 

tsenger  iW 
5  ♦W. 


e  to'leiva 
:e  fur  yod, 
;o  it  ?  " 

rd,  (iiaer- 


yda  and 
ty  to  niy- 

the  eldei 
L(i  vantage 
resort  to 
pe  rtc  bjr 
you  can, 
^'  wife  t 
<A  a»ax« 

u  in  kif 

f    II  k 

meoML 
-no,  Doi 

I'er  yog 

ahrupf 


i 


irttnnh 


i 


*WmSTLED  DOWfr  THS   WIMDy' 


7i 


goodlooj^ing  fac«s-she  hated,  abhorred  him.     He:  mad  foUr. 
Her  ihame  danrned  upon  her,  in  its  triip  light.     She  saw  #liai 

hei  cnildwh  cieduhly,  an<l  dragged  her  down,  an4  she  ha^eL 
lerus  nave  plain  words,  Robert  Kisle-she  hated  your  memor, 
mth  an  intennry  I  never  dreamed  she  ,)osses.^.  The  haunt 
^ng  feaj  lejt  her  disgraceful  secret  should  "be  known  ro  th« 
Wf  "v?^/^  *f"e  her  mad.  ^he  bu.icd  herself  alive  dawn 
«  LynJith  Grange  for  a  tm.e— she  went  abroail  with  me.  ,  Hci- 
jec^et  so  preyed  u,K)n  her,  that  her  health  was  afTected  AU 
tfc^Ume  her  plighted  husband,  the  man  of  her  tlying  fathefi 
*l»c||#e  was  by  her  side,  ever  tender,  ever  devoted— and  she 

ri!^L*"i        ^"^"^  ^""r^*"  *  '°^«'  ^'  ^»'*^  tfreai<?f  that  it  !wa5  ' 

handmg  her  the  ptip^r,"  ^^r.  I.yrKiith  said,  looking  dreamily 
before  him.  like  a  i»ian  who  behc.lds  what  he  relates  •'•  aiid 
pomting  out  your  r^me  among  the  list  of  lost.^  For  an-^meit 
Jhe  pew  ,  eadly  ,vile  She  ha.l  alw^y*  a  tender  heart ;  poS 
child-and  it  see^ned  a  h<,rnble  fate  \o  be  burned  alive  n^he 
midst  of  the  Atlantic.  Then  she  ^rew  the  pa,K:r  down,  flung 
herself  ,mo  jiy  ^arms,  and  sobt»^  in  wild  hUterics  :  •  Oh, 
uncle,  she  ci^ed,-.s  it  wicked  to  be  thankful'  to  Heaven  fw 
even  an  enejn/s  death  ?  And  I  liked  him  once,  and  his  fate 
Im  been  anyawfu  one,  and  yet  my  heart  has  no  room  for  any. 
Uiing  but  thankfulness  that  I  am  free.     Now  the  ex.Kjsurc  of  a 

w«nlTlcm  "''  -^u  """J""'^'^-*"  "»'«''"^^  *hich  I  think 
would  kill  me.  Thank  Heaven,  inthout  it  He  has  givnn  liw 
^k  my  liberty!'  Anc^  after  this  she  rallied,  and  gave  sS 
Vane  her  promise  to  become  his  wife."  * 
Hubert  Lisle  listened  to  this  lengthy  speec'i,  with  a  imflr  of 
.  iryiucal  scorn  on  his  handsome  bearded  mou  Ji. 

*•  Yon  were  always  an  orator.  Mr.  J.yndith,"  he-said,  quietly  • 
ipouting  was  ever  your  forte,  I  remember,  j^nd  grateful  & 
^quile  a  striking  tjau  in  your  character.  I  see  time  but 
•MbeJuihes  y^nr  i^^^  Vn  plain  English,  I  don't  believe  on« 
•wd  you  have  tolfl  me.  Oiivia  l.yndiin  was  not  the  sort  of 
jwian  to  whistle  a  test  lover  down  the  wind,  after  any  sucb 
_*^.n-rmu«JiJp#>bc  husband  she  loved--lkavett  I  Ic^^ 


'Wftsti    r-i  ■**"  ' 


\  ... 


N        ."I 


•J 


■I 


^j  %|>£%tf^i       <■      ikisj 


■^  'r' 


^ 


7a  *"^^f^TL^O   DOWN  TBBH^tfDn 

•way  to  Scotland^lSd  goes  thr^?Ln^  ^    °I  o'*'^"  "^n* 
«oiy.  that  nuS^ass  fof ml,2l  ^L    ""!  *°'^'  ^'  ^<^«*<^h  cere- 

to  knowCtte^Ty^t'o^i  S^i    ^J  ^^'^^W  «no"gh,  at  least, 
ri*«c,  th.e  child  illeguSe 'f  ^'"'^  "^*«*^  '^^^  "^  '»«■ 

p  J..d  over  h.s  banned  Lee'       *  ""^  '""^  ""^  *  ^^  flush 

"  The  child  I  ••  he  said  ;"  there  was  a  child  ?  " 
^^Zroclr:.;:.t;r-^^  -th.neaUygWdov« 

was  she  b„t  a  child  herseV  "cLr  ?i^f|7f  '  ^*"'^,''"0''S-  VVhat 
•stray.  L.ttle  w<,ncler ^e  Tho  ,  '  *'^'  ''^*^"  >°"  '^^  ^er 
now.  to  ad<l'one  Usrj^^^^''""/,^"  J^  "'f"'ory  And 
wih  shame,  to  rake  ui,  (r»S%li  ?  *  ^".''  ^'^  ^^^^e""  ^x^' 
lieves  bune.J  in  oblmon  wh  ch  sL  wn  >?1'  '\''°'y  '^'  ^c-  . 
.  tlie  work]  know  R  ?.' J,  ,  T  "'*'  "^'^  '*'*»*'  ^^^  have 
blight  the  hftTan  intlren,  "^r'T  ^'  '«»  than  ™a„  to 

Lord  ^^^x^^^J^^^  u!!,  h    r   '™"'  *'^'''^'''     »*<» 
J^i   w3^  sec  hc^  a,  itfstl'^ W      /T 
bps  alone  wHl  I  take  „ v  H  Lh  '''^  ''^/^'^'y-     "  ''>«'"  her 

i  Will  oU-y  |.er-yes     h  ,u^ h    r  "^f!'  u  '  ^  ''^^  '""''  '"*^  '»  8<^       , 
*oiir:     Bui  I  knci  L  of  -^i ,  ^  r^S''*  V"8  '"yseU  w.thin  fh^^ 

tut  hcait,  or  .ruTrhonorf  8^^''".  ^^^L'^-^*  '"^"  ^'^ 

!«sl'  me  she  hates  n  e.  It-t  h^r  hM  "^^  ^""^  here— let  hei 

«ver  trouble  ^J::^^  thTs  worK?'    *^°'  "'   '  ^'  ^'''  ^^ 


"WKlfier  her  6rst  . 
ibe  thioJu  tt  wu. 


know  what  yo».^^>^  She^:;^^^.  - 
"^*«f.r"  binding  or  noiJ-lie^ST 
*     She  believed  you  deai-Jifc.  ihc^7SS\ 


m  > 


\  a- 


f',' 


J<A 


J 


v^«!5"?;r^ 


,«   ,'%'-  "ittj"!* 


■tiTlf ' 


le  wjrid  m 
)ve  yoa     vl- 
I    You-  are 
ixte?n  runt 
CQtch  cere- 
er.     It  irill 
minor  con-  , 
jh,  it  least, 
IS  no  mar- 
is m<)jn^n. 
(ivk  flush 


>s8ed  over 

th,  thank 
's.  What 
Ju  led  her 
ry-  And 
:over  her 
y  she  be- 
han  have 
man  to 

moisture 
1?    Had 
iired? 
roin  her 
le  to  go^ 
thin  the 
an  with    . 
ifraid  of 
-let  hei 
fo,  and 

<"  more 

^  dead 


"tnnSTTMD  DOWS  THA   WTinX^f 


7t 


^-tW\. 


if  t. 


w: 


•elfa  widow,  and  has  married  again— a  man  whoiu  the  lopes, 
•S  m  her  wildest  fancy  she  never  cared  fur  yoa  I>o  you  W^OW 
Wiiat  the  consequence  of  bringing  her  hert  will  be?  K  will 
kill  *»".  '  thiiik-jusi  that  I  The  exposure,  the  scandal,  the 
km  of  the  husband  she  loves.  She  w«.uld  never  hold  up  hei 
head  again.  If  you  ever  loved  her,  Robert  Lisle,  you  shottW 
•pare  ner  now."  ' 

••  I  oved  her  f     Oh,  Heaven  I  " 

He  flung  himself  into  a  chair„and  buried  hi*  foce  io  Itk 
hands,  Was  Geoffrey  Lyndiih  not  right?  She  had  been 
proud  and  sensitive  of  old,  and  now  the  wife  o(  two  men. 

PjUied  froni>th,  and  the  first  a .     He  shuddered  Uiiough 

all  his  frame,  as  he  sat  there.  ^ 

]e^l^'^  **'^'''  "'*°  **''  his  advantage,  and  foUowe^ it  up  piti- 

••  You  insist  upon  seeing  !^y  Charteris  ?  Well,  if  yo'i  are 
deteniiined  u|>on  it,  of  course  you  can.  Would  yeu  like  to 
heaj  the  result  ?  She  is  torn  from  ihe  arms  of  her  bridegroom 
—ihe  story  of  her  folly  is  given  to  the  wofid— she  is  known  as 
tne  wife  of  two  men,  until  at  least  it  is  proven  that  the  first 
w^  no  marriage  at  all.  If  the  blow  does  not  kill  her,  she  is  \o 
pme  reunited  to  Sir  Vane,  but  the  scandal  follows  her  her  Ufe 
long.  Supposing  the  first  marriage  to  have  been  legal  even 
a  divorce  can  be  procured,  and  she  is  still  free.  In  a,w  case! 
all  you  can  do  to  Su  Vane  is  to  separate  him  for  a  few  monthi 
from  his  bride  to  whon.  finally  (jJways  supposing  the  exposure 
does  no.  kill  her)  he  will  be  again  united,  .^nd  now  for  your 
I.«  the  hour  you  stand  face  to  face  with  OUvia  Charteris. 

-  you  shall  be  given  over  to  the  hands  of  the  law.  For  her  sake 
1  snared  you  two  years  ago-forher  sakt  you  shall  be  branded 
■^,f!if,^i».ef  you  are,  then.  Do  you  know  what  your  sentence 
will>e?  One-and-twenty  years,  at  least,  on  Noriblk  Island. 
Yott  will  have  broken  her  heart,  driven  her  into  her  grave,  ia 
allj>:'jbability,  and  youi-self  in  a  felon's  cell  Now,  choiiel 
lb<?  way  lies  yonder.  Go  up  to  the  room  above,  you  unll  fitnk 
her  there,  happy,  by  her  bridegrooms  side.  Go  up,  I  wiU  not 
mt  a  hnger  to  hinder  you,  and  on  the  instant  you  set  your  foot 
won  tile    first    stair,   my  servant    shall    summon  the  poUce. 

,  lake- your  choice,  Robert  Lisle,  and  quickly  " 

^— ?£?'''*•  °"'*"*'^*'^''=  '"  •^'■^*=*^"  '"'""»«»  more  the  newly 
_^J^m  P^ere^to  start  on  thefirst^st^^  their wcditiiS^ 
pomey.    ^j^  self  command  of  Geoffrey  Lyndith  was  gi  eat. 


^^ 


V 


bat  bis 


'^  giay  now,  and  drops  of  moisture  stood  on  im 


/ 


.»«■! 


\ 


■■(.'> 


n'i'ji.-.e.-t.-  .,.->.>.-Mifi  d4^A-jii.;»5^' 


-l.,.,. 


»flW^''5F^'. 


^"4 


^T  MALP.MOa^  r^JUtdj^ 


•fii- 


raw  <»  the  ahonlder,  cold  wflh 
he  sud,  "  dfdde  I     Go  np  and 


boe.    He 
inirard  le; 
"V 

b;u  th 

deniQ 

^m^'^^V''''^'^    Quick!"  -  ' 

l^^\i:^t^^^^"^-^^^^Jort^^^     Tom.  6. 

r    "I   have    decided"  hr^^lr^.''''^'^  ^^^^'^a^t- 
^    tfwve  judge  youT;  iu      vl  r'"'^'  "  M^  '"^^  ^=  God 
J,Jough  ii.y  blood  redH.nJH    ^^"^*^^  *s   niuth  a  murderer  u 

•#t  of  n.rne.  She  'bJed  Z  ^'°''^^'  '""  '"  ^*^^'"^  through 
;vl^ik^  and  traitor  !-!!Is  3^  nJ^  ^"r^"','"^  "'^  y«"  ^ 
^;  ttdeahe  will  si.end  her  life  f.?^  f^  "'^  "'^^  ^^^  ^^°^ 
-  OS  both,  Geoffrey  Lvndith  mo  &  '  """"^  ?  ^^^  '^^^^  <l«^t  by 
He  rki8«5^  hi7»!l        .'  T*y  Heaven  deal  with  you  I "         ^ 

-«.4  .^er'iSrj  :.taX  l^'r  '•"'  'r'^^  «• 

•toodttill  fSr  a  secoa^/andTw     ^1  ^  ""^  ^'^J''  ^"'  ^is  heart 
on  his,  face.  ^  """^  1^'  *=°'^  ^'^'^  shone  in  great  dropi 

'o:idd;rv;^r^f;:»-»Wht,  "and  another  «,^cu», 

rf"l.IS£le^;d^  iC^***"'  •"'  ^'^  '  8^««  bread 
w/e  reuei.    liu  enemy  waa^nt ;  he  wu  saved 


4 


''t-ii 


#. 


«ombl,.  dcM  4"lrW!26^  c<A„.eou.  to  .11,  wM,  , 


ffit 


m 


BiA  r. 


«.t:^li 


ff  v";-  >;•*? -^ 


'fW%  ^^iT'^f- 


AT  KALTMOON  rMMKACM. 


i  cold  wiUi 

■o  op  and 

of.,  yomler 

Ho  hit  df 
.     In  that  ^ 

eait 

ths  God 
irderer  aa 
J  Kevei  be 
e  through 
you  wiH, 
by  ,who8« 

dealt  by 
i!" 

led  He  i 
his  he^  ^ 
eat  dropf 


victoiy 


U  breatk 
ived 


Ti 


ik,  and 
irhfle  a 
^isfiKM' 


'.*?. 


PV«iK*  iKarqnis  arranges  hia  necktie,  and  bowt  kin  imilini 
•dieux  to  his  friends,  on  his  «ray  to  the  gtiiliotine :  fits  Vane 
tat  at  the  head  of  his  wedding  breakfa5t,  knowing  that  »he  brida 
he  had  so  hardly  w6n  might  be  torn  from  him  forevT  in  tea 
minutes,  and  smiled,  Vn  J  jested,  with  an  upmcved  frorL  Bat, 
would  Geoffrey  1  .yndith  nevei  come  ? 

He  came  at  last— very,  very  |»ale,  everybody  noticed,  but 
quite  calm.  He  a|H)logized  with  courtly  fluency,  for  h<s  exti* 
CH-dinary  absence  at  such  a  nnie,  and  resumed  his  plare  at  hi 
own  table.  Sir  Vane  never  gla^iced  at  him  after  the  f  rst  mo 
ment,  and  the  nuptial  breakfast  went  on,  and  came  to  an  enc 
at  last  At  last  I  To  the  bridegroom  it  seemed  an  rternit) 
since  he  had  sat  down.  The  bride  tuvent  upstairs,  to.  put  on  ha 
travelling -dress^then  fori /ew  seconds  Sir  Vane-gOt  Mr.  Lyn 
dith  alone  in  a  recess  of  one  of  the  windows. 
"  He  is  gone  ?  "  he  asked. 

"Gone,  and  forever,"  Geoflfrey  Lytidith  answered  "J 
have  conquered  as  I  did  before.  Of  his  own  free  will,  he  hai 
left  the  hsiise,  the  country,  and  her  forever.  If  (|uite  coureni 
ent,  my  dear  nephew,  I  will  take  that  promised  check. 

The  b^egroom  smiled  grimly  as  he  produced  the  chec* 
already  jilled  out,  and  handed  it  to  his  new  relative. 

"I  have  seen  Circassians  sold  in  Stamboul,  and  (|uadro<mi 
in  tne  West  Indies,«but  never  Circa.ssian  nor  quadroon  weri 
more  surely  bought  and  sold  than  your  haughty  litilf  niece. 
WdL  ou.t  of  such  a  dot  as  hers,  one  can  afford  even  the  prioc" 
thousand  [KJunds." 
^  f  an  hour  later,  and  the  happy  pair  were  o%  and  away  tn 
die  first  stage  of  theii  Itahan  honeymoon. 

Like  a  man  struck  blind  and  deaf,  Robert  I. isle  passed  out  ol 
die  dim,  peefl  light  of  Mr.  I.yndiih's  stately  hall,  to  the  brcMid, 
pitiless  glare  of  the  April  noon.     He  staggered  altn^st  lite  a 
dnmken  man— a  red  hot  riiist  swam  before  his  eyes-^^agini  ^ 
lush^f  many  waters  soupded  in  his  edrs— he  put  KisivJuEf  i] 
to  waid  off  the  blinding  brightness  of  the  noomlafljpBP^A  , 
descended  the  steps,  and  passed  on  ;  he  had  forgottewtfie  writ- 
fog  hackney  coach,  and  his  new-fpund  acipiaintance  still  sitticf 
^l^he  reinembered  nothing,  but  that  he  had  lost  her— oit 
hitf^imn  choice,  haJ  left  her  unseen,  and  forever.     He  went 
Wi»  ^U  blind  anrl  deaf  to  the  busy  lif-;  around  him. 


**n5w,  then,  my  man  f  do  you  want  to  find  yonrielf  undei 
iny  horses'  feet?    By  Jove!  he  is  theref* 


"p- 


t: 


h 


-.iH 


AT  WALF.MtOOfT  r^XACM. 


'rrrws»^-t^T'r,\ 


A  camV  pole  gtnirk  him  on  the  head,  aftei  he  ««  ,?«-. 

He  did  not  look  unlike  it  tnilw      tk-  ki 
»^nnc(l  bin, ;  he  lav  (m.  te  whifT' L    ^^f  ?'"''•  *^  '«as'-  had 

the  faull  wasn"  mine  ■•      "^  '°'^'  *"''  »"  '*^'.  r""  k"™  i  but 

IJnve  to  the  nearest  chemist's,"  r)uke  said  tn  «,-  ^  k 
only  fruened  his  eves  to  rl.w^  .i7  *""«  returned.     But  he 

ationer.  it  I  were  you."  "ui  i  a  caU  in  a  regular  prac- 

Ta'ce  hun  honiel     Duke  sUred  blanklv  a»  ♦», 


anniftft  htm 


tunt,  dumb  moan  of  paL  'e»"es«iy  and  attenng  thtt 


1 


«u  domt 
teapci)  OIK 

I  called  to 
lied  it's  no 
'  «*y.  toy 
t  afi-aij  h« 

bowed  hia 

ifoing,  and 

who  tries 

'\     Good 

least,  had 
losed,  the 
eriiple. 
lose  |»hae- 
it.  He's 
ami  he'U 
now ;  bul 

rathe>  ac 

prostrate 

cabman; 
ront  of  a 
try's  skill. 
But  he 
moan  oi 

ron  ♦he 
I  shbuld 
le  braitt. 
;w  days. 
lar  prao 


of  dniff 
lere  waa 
nd  med~ 
hatdBU 
H  tbtt 


flf<"/  '7f  '7^ 


"  1^  ro  use,-  the  apomecary  said  ;  «•  he  isn  t  able  to  answe. 
OP  onderatand  yet.  He  may  in  a  few  hpurs,  iho'jgh.  IH«I 
you  kno«  where  he  hves  ?"  ^ 

J^ii^fT"^^  T'"u'?i''  ^^"'''^'  "'  "'^•^  Mwhimin  m,  hfe 
nntU  an  hour  and  a  half  ago.  UTiat  shall  1  do.  I  coul  Jn  i  Lavs 
mm  m  your  charge,  now,  I  suppose  ?" 

n;/,'w?  ^°  u  *?".'''"'*•  ^^''^  '"'«^'  «**  ^^  admitted  into  a  hot 
pital,  though,  dare  say,  if  you  set  about  it  pro{M;riy.  And  non 
you  really  must  take  h.m  along,  fo,  i,  isnVa  pleasant  sight  f« 
customers-a  man  lymg  like  dead  here,  you  see.  I  s,Tpn,«e 
you  ve  got  a  hon.e  of  your  own  ?  As  you  seem  to>  a  C/icni 
01  bis,  I  should  thuik  you  might  take  him  there  "     H 

"Should  you    indeed?"  retorted  iJuke,  in  bittef  sarrasiv 

Suppose  you  had  a  sister  there,  with  a  temiKjr  no,  better  than 
tt  ougnt  to  be,  and  shar|»ened  by  one  tnal  already  to^%y  I 
Here,  you  I  '  to  the  coachn.an,  "  bear  a  hand  here,  and  help  me 
back  wuh  the  ,K>or  fell«w  to  the  cab.  I  can't  desert  him  •  I 
must  take  hmi  home  until  he  comes  round,  and  the  Lord  only 
knows  what  Rosanna  will  say."  ^ 

He  gave  the  order,  ••  To  Half-Moon  Terrace  f "  and  sat  with 
leeUngs  by  no  means  to  be  envie(i,  watching  the  streets  Hy  by. 
and  the  death-like  face  of  the  man  before  hiil^  untU  Blooni 
Oury  was  reached. 

^•She  likes  nursing,"  Duke  mused,  darkly  ;  "  that's  the  only 

f^  i  T  ^".V  ^  ^^''''"'  '^•^'^  behave  like  an  angel  to  me  if  I 
only  had  galloping  decline,  or  asthma,  or  somei^iing  o^  diaj 
sort  and  was  laid  u|K)n  her  hands  half  the  time;  but  while  mr 
presem  powerful  appetite  and  digestion  remain,  theres  no  hopJ 
«f  an,thmg  like  that  SKe'll  nur^e  this  young  man,  I  have  Jio 
doubt,  like  his  mother  or  guardian  angel,  supiH.sing  him  to 
iwve  either,  and  as  soon  as  he's  better  and  well  out  of  ihr  houae. 
won  t  I  catch  it  I  That's  aU  I  TU  not  hear  the  last  of  it  to 
ten  years  to  come." 

Full  of  Uiese  gloomy  reflections,  Duke  alighted 
It  was  a  second  time  that  day  a  hansom  cab  had  started  tht 
tahabitants  of  Half  Moon  Terrace  out  of  their  nonnai  stale  d 


5^  A&i 


iW*i^7SH5ji 


repose.     And  this  iimt  female  hra<ls  came  to  doors  and  tnn. 

dows,  as  the  driver  and  J 

peared  to  these  female     '^ 
Rosanna  herself  (iuni 
Jo  knock.. witi.  a  tare^ 


ojiej 


)jS.e  carried  botween  them  what  ap. 

be  the  stark  form  of  a  dead  man. 

-the  door    before  ^ey  had    time 

>thtfr  d'd  not  fhe^ae^^o^k   " 


JM  Kobert  Hawksley  was  home  into  the  little  dingy  parlor, 
01C9  into  the  Utile  ding}  bedroom  adidinina,  vui  laid  qd  Duke^t 


s 


*t!^^    jfj>  ^>«»-^M.;  v^i  >^^*  ^«A>ti4V, 'jflki>iai. 


■'}^<' 


%  "  -  y-'t. 


11- 


if 
I 


I    • 


ft 


r^ 


n2^  ^T  V\  ^"^^  *^^  dismissed,  and  the  tug  of  war  ven 
Dear.  I>ukc  had  to  lot^k  at  his  long-sutfenng  sister  now.  aad 
^  expressipU.  of  that  stony  face  mi^-h-  have  fr^hleneu  aTia?^ 

'  "  QjK  Rosinna  J  don't  scold.     I  could  not  help  iC  uroo  ro» 

iOflU  just  listen  half  a  minute  111  tell  you  all  about  if 
'     '«  »  ?K  ^^"J^^P""'  [o""  ^he  second  time  that  day,  Duke  poured 
aisanna.  adventure   into   the  wondering   ears  ol' 

'     J^^"'^''^'^^^  I  help  it-<:ould  I  ?     I  p„t  it  to  yourself.  Ro. 
sanr^^      Uu  wouldn't  leave  lain  to  rlie  like  a  d.-  in  the  s  leet 
:    would  youi»     And  he'll  come  round  in  h..lfin  hour,  or  so  the  • 
apothecary  sai.}  he  would  ;  an.l  go  home  himself  where  he  b«- 

&-t)X;^n:^!. ''  "^-r^  ^"^  -  -  »^-  '^^  ^^ 

"  <'"  7^.1  ^«"»d  jo  Mr.  Jelhip  this  very  minute  ;  tell  him  if  s 
»  case  of  life  and  death,  and  don't  st^nd  chattering  there  like 
jnoyergrovvnmag,.ie."  was  Rosanna's  answer:  'Vthit  man  will 
die  If  something  «  mit  done  for  him  shortly,  and  ri.Ftiot  «,in2 
\P  have  any  dea<  ny^  on  my  hands.  If  Mr.  Jellup  isn't  h^e  1 
^  ,   fc'e  minutes,  I)uke  Mason—"  ■'       »'^  *" 

Km  Duke  did  not  ^^ait  for  the  completion  of  the  awful  spn- 

.I'^'^K  ?%""*'!'"'*'  ''°'"'''*''*'*^A  He  clapped  on  his  hat, 
and  rjished  after  his  sister's  favonte  jpr^titionc;,  and  Mr.  JeUup 
vai  there  in  hve  minutes.  -    ■  ^    1  ^    ^   ' 

Ulielhcr  Mr.  Rtiberl  Hawksley  liv^^  of  died,  the  scenery  fo, 

tL..  r«^*'""^'*^J^"*"*'  Deep"  must  »Je  paint ed^and 

.&,ld''^"?'  r^'^    ^  fun<^,„ore   than   furious,   af 

Slu       '?k'^^''  7"*^    '"*'"'    ^"''"^  ^d   stand   th^  phials   o/ 
ifl     *'"]?'*"''    Pv«  them  as  good  as    ihtfy  .brought.     Afr 
tf.lup  ard   Rosanna    would    bring  th.  .yo•ang^nan    mund,   tf 
Acre  was.  any  earthly  possibility  of  it,  and  wondering'  a  W 
deal  whether  or  no  he  might  not  be  little  l'dlly>»  papa,*Mr.^ 
Mawn  went  whistling  to  his  work  «  "^      *^  '  ^     -     y 

to  hLTmI^  "l-pn-nidnight  when,  the  play  ovfr.  he  returned 
S„?«  r  .  ^1""^^;^.*"  rf""  "ght  shone  from  thi  paxlof 
window,  ;  he  let  himself  in  mth  hispight-krv.  Ro^nna"  « 
W^ttlnng  then.     That  was  notJnng  unus»a>.  '^S^'^.^** 

I.;r'^'^f.^°"'^."^^  '9  "^^  »'"^'  ho^i:s.>|,d  be  up  wrtb  tiM   • 
*?•  wom&K'i  ''****^^'^  '*™°*^'^«:«P  lipstSSi,  am}  fed 


<■ 
^ 


I 


:h. 


:r 


i* 


l> 


4'  : 


*'^  ■/--■».  J^/?^K 


wax  vtrj 
now,  Mad 

<  a  biavck 

,  •        ■■'■./ 

upon  rot 
enzy;  "tf 
I' 

•    \ 

e  poured 
I   ears  cf 

rself,  Ro 
he  street 
3r  so,  the  • 
e  he  be-  , 
like  that, 

1  him  it's 
here  like 
man  will 
lut  gving 
t  here  in 

•^ful  Sjtn- 

his  hat, 

r.JeUup 

'      -         "  .( 

'nery  f(M 
ted,  and 
ipus,  a? 
rs.  Tin- 
hiais  oi 
It.  Afr. 
jund,  if  '" 
a  rgreaf 
pa,  Six.  /^ 

ettimed 

parlor 

najwu 
*  t 


t.'^^f^ 


j-sX', 


rrtb  tfat 


Jtf  »AL^ 


tte  opened  the  fwrlor  door  softly,  and  hu  diter  omC  Uv 
Irith  Uui  ear  iplittinis  '^hifh-h^l "  noott  norsei  aiect. 

•«  Oh  I "  said  Duke,  5he'l  here  ttill,  ia  he  /  And  hoj»*t  h* 
DOW,  Rosannal^"  \.  • 

He  looked  into  the  little  bedroom.  Robert  tXAtfi  haad 
■ome  face  looked  fwftilly  bloodieaa  in  the  diiq,  i>ale  light,  boi 
ke  ilept  tranquilly  a^  a  child.    *  '  ^ 

*•  He'll  be  up  UMiiiOrrOw,  I  thall  watch  with  him  to-ni^ 
Ihrouffh  to  give  him  hi»  medicine,  and  you  can  sleep  on  the 
■0&.  Dukef     You'll  f.nd  Vour  supper  in  the  kitchen." 

Rosanna  was  as  mild  as  sweet  milk. .  She  might  be  old,  the 
might  be  grim,  she  had  no|  the  faintest  touch  of  sentimcnta^sm 
in  her  nature,  *«/  she  wis  a  woman  still,  and  a  man  tf&ck 
down  in  his  strong  raaohoofl,  and  the  pallid  beauty  o<  that 
Warded  face,  wen|  straight  to  all  that  wail  womanly  in  hergriioi 
'  ^Id  8|Mn8ter  heart. 
•  ♦'  Shell  be  a  perfect  angel  as  long  ashe's-aick  on  her  hands," 
thouf;Kt  Ihike,  pouring  out  his  tea,  with  a  sort  of  groan  ;  •'  and 
th^  minute  he's  gone,  dow^  she'll  come  on  me  for  ever  fetch 
ing  him  here.  A  maiden  sister's,  a  blessing,  no  dbubk  but  i 
think  some  benighted  bachelors  woOld  be  more  satisfied  if  they 
did  not  have  blessings."  l-      . 

T^Dttke  stretched  himself**  the  sofa,  dressed  and  ill,  and 
ieiil  thr  slee^  of  the  jusU  The  sjck  man  slept  in  his  bed ; 
Polly  slept  in  ^.ers  ^ff  the  kitchen  ;  tad  sleepless  and  uprigh 
Rosanna  sat  and  rjead  her ''Book  ot-Cwnaxow  Prayer,  as  behtted 
he  solemnity  of  the  hour  and  xKcasion ;  «nd  the  small  houn 
fore"  on,  and  another  day  grew  gnray  in  theiCaSt 

How  much  had  happened  in  the  last  ^ntv  foM  hours  I     A 
sick  man  to  nurse,  and  a  little  cbil^  to  carcs  R>i\     Ah«  *i^>ie  M 
she  thought  of  Folly,  and  stol^  ofiJi^toe  to  the  bedside.    Tht 
baby  slept,  het  dimpled  check*  flufPii.  hei  ro»ebud  lips  oartM 
V— A  lo.'ely  vision,  is  all  sleeping  children  are.    The  io(k«l 
^limmrreJ  in  the  light  tJf  Rpsanna'l  tandlt ;  with  the  chikiia 
'■    oming  it  had  cowte  o|»en,  and  the*tinj^  » url  of  auburn  h»a  h««|^ 
mien  ooL    Rosanna  took  it  up,  looked  at  ij— looked  at  t^^|^ 
• ''Xctu'c*^  ^^**^* — quietly  at  first— then  wuh  strange  and  sudJen^ 
,     volensitv.     Achang*  came  over  her  owis  face  \  she  uncl|piped 
±e  lorket,  took  it  and  the  litila  curl  into  ihe  sick  man's  room: 
•*|he  laid  the  tress  close  t*^  his^hV"^  ;*the  two  w^e  the  same  e* 
■rtiy— cnjot^  teatige,  curl     She  hijirt  the  pictured  fuce  ckm 


« 


m 


i* 


A'- 


b^.i»w  a  bei^BeM' fce,  and~tfi^^  beard.  op4 

iMitta*  <mh  Mirted  abne  bunt  adnurstio%«  within  bisft  ^HMm 


T7- 


'  v%',     'f^' 


i  ■♦• 


-HI; 


k)  >>. 


lijii 


ateu^r*  JJ?.  ^••''?  P*lt  "  '''^^  ^«»*"*^  the  locket  agai, 
apout  iftc  .Jiilds  neck.     The  same  thought  crossevl  her  «Sn> 

'     TiiLT*  1^        i''  "T"'"«'     ^^^f  ^-^  »  ►^^'''•i*/  in  spite  rf- 
i  ?  Spangle.     It  was  his  firsf  thought  as  he  sa.  «»  llJn 

^.  to  find  the  little  k.tchen  gloke.1  by  a  bUrs,"f      "Jh^ 
tt^break/ast  ,n  a  state  of  ,>re,.akat,on,  and  Rosanna  S 
^  «"  hu»  jnth  a  face  of  owl^.ke   sole.nn.ty.     VV'as^h^  "J 
uL^.T^^^u     '"^^  '^'  ^""'^1 "'  '^^  ^'n  about  to  falU° 

-«..*'    .f"»«"*^«^    Rosanna,^"!    have    somethinir  ver* 
•trangc  to  teU  you.     That  child  hai  a  locket.  wTih  a  .„T5    ^ 

£;r  i"fh'sf "'  ^^i'^"'  »>"  neck  '"i^'jt  ;.^^^;  ;:;«,- 

hair  both  belong  to  that  sick  luan.'  V  *^ 

"  Rosanna  < " 

*•  It  ia  true.     IxMk  for  rourself  i^  von  HV*      t^--  —^      •  • 
he's  the  child's  father  I  "    ^*'"^"'  *    ^^^  ^'^«'     '^ »  ««>  "Ptn»ot 

and  L?'!!L\'li/"*'T"'"°"''' "''*''>•"  "^'^  Duke.     "We'll  tn 
Mwtrew  Polly,  u  .tnke.  mc  1  should  like  to  know  her  n^L  IS 

The  brother  an*  dster  breakfasted!  togtthef.  Duke  went  oni 
for  hi,  momjng  snioke,  and  Rosannn  w^he<J  ^d^,,^  VoZ 

:Xdr'b~b;;i^7e:*"'^"^*^^^^^  ^.e  inr."!fc 

S,e  ?'  •"^•:;"«,fr«'"  »»»«  «^*ight  path  fSr  on«.  Tcily  -  ^ 
ble  ttpiHrksed.  she  went  to  see  aft^r  l.er  oati..nt  •,  k  2,  '  I^ 
jnd  toas,  and  found  hi.n  lying^briS  'a  Jak"e^  X""^ 
and  conjciou^  gzzing  with  darlj  melancholy  e^eVat^icaST 

How  Itke  tho«^  sapphire-blue  eyes  wem  I  Pollys  I    TJ* 
^IITL^/  ,^ought  a.  he  ttiried  then,  upo*? her       ''  ^ 

T^tr^JZ^i  '*''*  gentlenuin,   she  couldL   ^  C 


I/,  and  niy  oroiflw  bro«^^w^|Kl^ 


;\ 


K' 


''  -X-:-- 


^-\ 


Ylff' 


MT  HAWMOON   TEKKACE. 


%i 


Yoa 


«« 


oa.^Ik!  f«u/  Cwe.  tf  yoa  please,  and  you  will  cat.umic  tMnukfirti 

lod  eten  i/  you  .Vel  well  you  shal>  get  ap."  ^N». 

/  His  cy««  tharvked  her.     Iliey  wci-e  beautifal  eyei,  wore  and 
■mntf  like  I'oi'.y'*  every  second. 

She  bathec'  nis  hands  and  fiwe,  placed  his  tea  and  ioaafi 
aeatly  before  him,  and  watched  him,  with  that  profound  »ati«&» 
ion  only  niirsej  know,  eat  a  few  morsels  and  drink  his  tea.      ■ 

"  My  brother  will  be  in  directly,  and  wiU  help  you  to  divs% 
ft(Mann4  said,  kindlv.     "  Here  he  is  now/* 

l»uke  sauntered  in,  imelUng  of  the  stables  opposite,  where 
he  »ia<i  been  sinoki.ig. 

••  Ah,  good  morning.  Mr.  Hawksley,"  he  sJud.  "  How  do  you 
6nd  yourself  tonlay  }  Met  with  an  accident  yesterday,  you 
know— might  have  been  worse  though.  I'll  be  yaUy,  certauly. 
Kttch  th*"  things  akmg,  Rosanna." 

Mr.  Hawksley  reeled  a  little  when  he  first  arose,  but  the 
weakness  |»asseiL  He  dressed  himself  with  some  assist- 
incc  from  1  >ukc,  and  took  the  chair  his  extempore  valet 
glared  for  him  among  llie  roses  and  geraniums  in  the  sunn; 

nndow. 

There  was  a  bottle  of  wi.ie  in  the  house,  kept  for  rare  occir 
lions,   and   Rosanna  gave  hsr  brother  a  la»ge  glass  for  ho 

***"  And  if  he'd  like  to  smoke,  Duke,  I  d<A't  mind,"  she  said. 
cunlv  ;  "  nothing  brings  you  men  to  themselves  like  a  cigar.'' 

Ihike  stared  in  silent  wonder.  Mr.  *Hawksley  accepted 
b»»th  «he  n^ne  and  the  cigar— very  glad  to  get  the  Utter, 
thiiugh  it  was  execrable.  In  what  depths  of  despair,  in  wnai 
sgonies  of  unre<|uited  love,  won't  mca  llnoke  and  find  them- 
srives  consoletl  ?     •  *  .  , 

•'Vou  have  been  most  kind,  you  and  your  mstei,  he  said, 
joietly;  "believe  me,  I  am 'very  grateluL"  And  then  he  Ut 
^ii  cigar,  and  looked  at  the  gerwiiums,, and  the  men  cleaning 
Vwn   the  ho'ies  opposite,  and  Uie  sunUt,  dose,  UtUe  street, 

md  was  silenf  again.  .  * .     .  >»  «v.i 

"  If  I  had  known  wheye  your  home  and  hiends  were,    imae 
.  laid.   "  I   wouhl  have  uken  you  there.     But  you  were   quite 
iiWpable  of  sjKfech,  you  see,  and  I  bumght  you  here." 

"  1  have  no  home,"  Mr.  Hawkslev  answered,  in  the  saiM 

quiet  tone,  "and  no  (riends.     I  stand  quite  alone  m  Kngland, 

r-Vtre-wofliJ,^tn«te«t^    1  only  reached  I «njon  yesi«dariiH»ii^ 

int.  after  two  years'  sojoum  in  America.  ^  Hut  1  wiU  not  trj* 

f  ftM  upon  yoiu  kuidnete  much  Ibngei^  fl  1  niiy  further  trovDH 


.V*. 


'^  . 


•^ 


^ 


.#■1 


'■  f 


Is 


AT.^ALF.atO0ii   rtujiJicM, 


fw  »  j*t  me  •  cab  and  ti-ll  thi»  man  to  take  me  to  ^mmm 

TI„  ?1'^      *  '?''"  /•"*t'*nd  »«»»n  by  the  very  ne»l  fteaw«.' 

In  that  ca«e,'  said  I  hike,  "ypu  shall  remain  iri.er*  ymx  a>« 

««J  tcMw^w.  at  least     Our  Wms  are  of  the   humWett," 

J  „  With  rathrr  a  nieftiJ  look  around,  "  but  such  as  they  are.  the* 

•re  at  ycmr  service,  and  youll  be  brttei  here  than  in  a  \xqJL  . 

21!"  '"•"'  l'*^"»'*''y  a»  you  are  still  rather  w^ak."  ' 

Robert  Vi  awksley  stretched  out  his  hand  to  the  scene  fMintw. 

L"^  ,   1"'.*  ^"^  *"*  ***^*  "°"?  "«^<l«i  betweeiVthe.* 
So  while  t'le  long  sunny  Sunday  wore  away,  the  stranger  wiUvia 
theu  gates  sat  by  the  window,  and  puffed  his  cigar  smoke  into^ 
a^  loac-bushe*  and  geraniums,  and  listened  to  the  sweet  ring- 

!^.K    A*  ^^^^  ^"''  *"^  "^^^'^^  '^^^  j>*«»'»*  *ho  w,.ni  by 
m  the  dmgv  htlle  street  below.     He  ate  his  dinner.  *hen  <lin 
oeriime  fame,  a  very  slender  repast  on  his  pari,  and  then  went 
oark  to  the  window,  to  his  cigar,  and  his  silence. 

llalf  a  dozen  tunes  little  PoHy  ran  in  and  out  of  the  room, 
Utfu lly  «.m  there  by  'Rosanna,  to  attract  h.s  attention,  but  she 
signally  failed.     It  is  doubthil  if  he  ever  saw  or  heard  hrr 

A-  sort  of  awe   caine  over  Rosinna  as    she    watched' Wm    ' 
Irtere  were  troubles  tn  the  world  deeper  and  heavier  ^he  oc- 
?ai.  to  reah/e,  than  brothers  who  pUve«l  fiddles  late  into  thfl 
aight  at  godless  play-housea,  and  painted  sr  enes  all  day  Ions 

lhejM.acefiila/tenj.,onj^,iHl,  they  drank  tea  t«>Ketner  in 
the  par^,«.  And  the  belN  dashed  out  again  for  evennig  servir- 
^n<J  the  sun  went  redly  d.twn,  ^nd  little  PolJy  we^t  to  bed* 
very  s..-^pv  md  rross,  ai^d  still  Mr.  Hawksley  sat  silent  and 
ttMoking,  while  the  *perf'  twilight  fell,  the  .lam  came  odt 
above,  tnd  the  street  {aiti|w  glimrnered  below. 

huke  sat  at  the  other  window,  and  watched  him;  he-  w« 
living  of  cunosity,  teit  so;neht,w  he  could' nut  bring  hJhaeU  ■ 
^o  min.dc  on  this  w^'s  thoughts.  It  was  the  ...aS  hm.^H 
w»;o  spoke  first,  lite, human  heart  mutt  find  an  6..tlet  even 
in  the  most  eloiral.  and  there  is  something  rn  that  hcmr  bet  we-« 
1^  .        .hf...ghis    IH-cuharlv  adapted  to  conhder\<:e.     Sitr.nv   m  ihlt 

nlv^rgriy   .mi,^ht,Ws   paJe  fare  sreming  darved  m   -uarlk 
'      il!lT**"^  "'i*'"   f^«  W*wo  had  Defended  loU  S  bS 


/, 


■/•  . 


■  •.♦ 


•^ 


.>-■*■ " 


--,« 


!  re 

T*  y$m  ait ' 
luinblett," 
Wf,  they 
n  «  oouifi, 

If  p«iPtw> 
i^ti  theiit> 
gitt  wxihia 
noke  intC 
(reel  ring- 
>  went  bjr 
rhen  ilin- 
hen  weni 

he  room, 
t,  but  sha 
hff.  ., 
Ked  him 
,  she  oe- 

into  thfl 
ly  long, 
{etrtpr  ^n 
{  service, 

to  jbdd, 
lent  and 
uiie   out 

he-  »»s 

hlhiaelf 

hiniftcK 
et,  even 
bet  w^si 

in  lh«,t 

tuiu  fc^ 


,>;..%,■  V/S" 


f  •*&.<, 


v» 


fM^  or 


m  hntr^MT,      ^ 


y  ■ 


ts 


TOtJ»  m  THB  TmUOHT. 

|0U  wmider,  very  likely,"  Mr.  Hawkriey  began,  wMl 
perfect  abru|*tne«is  "that  I  should  take  a  journey  dl 
the  way  across  from  New  York,  and  only  remain  three 
Of  four  days   before  going   back.     Yoii  will  wondfli 
oaore,  when  i  tell  you  *hy  I  came.     I  came  to  find  my  wife." 

"  Apd— you  havf>  found  hfcr  f"  ventured  Duke,  h^  alarmed 
•I  his  own  temerity.  ^,  * 

•'  Found  her,  and  lost  her  forever,  in  the  u4|fe  hoar." 

"She  !•  dead  ?  "  I  hike  had  hazarded  again.   ' 

"  Yes,"  Hawksley  said,  ii^  a  strai^ge  .  compressoi  sort  d 
voice.  "  Dead — dead.  'Would  you  like  to  hear  thp  history  of 
a  life  that  has  been.a  failure  }  I  f^el  in  the  mood  to-night-— for  ■ 
the  first  tune  in  two  years — ^for  the  last  time  {i^rhaps  in  my  life. 
4  rdinantic  story,  mygood  fellow,"  with^a  sort  of .  laugfi :  *'ol 
jow  t^te  son  of  a  yeoman  won  and  lost  '  a  lady  of  tiigh  degr«  e,' 
AS  the  old  song  has  it  A  yeoman  son,  etli^cated  far  above  hif 
sphere,  by  an  eccentric  godfather  well-ta-do  in  life,  and  started  to 
pii&h/his  fortune  at  the  age'o'  twenty -^twd,  as  secretary  to  9 
gentleman  in  the  House  of  Commons.  I  fulfilled  my  duties,  n 
apftears,  so  satisfactorily,  and  was  willing  t(^rece:ve  such  very 
«lender  wages,  that  my  gentleman,  who  wa^'prlJier  rich  not 
generous,  resolved  to  retain'  n»e  as  long  as  he  could.  And 
when  .the  house  dissolved,  he  took  me  with  him  to  his  country- 
seat  down  .ia  the  heart  of  Staffordshire..  I  met  hsaf"  there.  It 
.18  "over  three  yeacsago  n6w,  but  in  .this  hour,  at.d  to  the  last 
of  my  life,  I  will  see  her  a*  plainly  as  1  saw  h<;r  that  first  day, 
itan«iing  breast-high  aijiidihe  waves  of  barley, „her  harnls  full  ol 
x>m  flowers  and  ^^ippies,  her  white  ilress  waving  in  the  sweet 
«in<friei  win<l,  -a  golden  gray  sky  over  her,  hea(|!  and  th«-  rosy*^ 
<bght  of  the  July  sunset  in  her  face.  She  was  only  sixteen,  and 
bom*  ftom  whofil  for  a  two-nionths',  vacation,  an  oqihan 
h«ir!»j*.  with  a  fare  like  one  of  Kaiihael's  Madonnaa,.  and  a 
heart— a  hrart  as  constant,  and  as  irlie,  as  the  rest  of  her  ses 
Ar  or]>haa,h';ifest,  jn^jaeed  f^om  her  tenth  year  to  a  baronet, 
■■>ii»«md.M  matry  hii'v  by  her  fitfVrXde{;i;|ih<»d  iniiinrrion -h« 


^pe*T  (oi^ilne  devirA4«Bt  on  it— if  4^  ri!ifii8e4t  that  lurtuw  inn|^ 
Ml  ourluw  to4  tmilti  ft  hbavitai  «od  i^MtCjfv     . '         • 


4S  / 


» 


!i^^<.-' 


V. 


•  #'» 


-•v 


,A' 


■k 


'i... 


..> 


>01D  W   TBE    TWILIGHT 


.y 


Iwiviir  nothing  of  the 


tether  ii  would  fi 


llVi 


now  it  would  have  been  more  \ 


engragemcnt— ii  Is  <;ioubffuI 
niatterei' 


:l»  if  1   Jiad;    still 
Joiiest'on  ht 


't 


H.™^    ..''"'"=*'■'>"'»".     And  she  loved  »»/• 
»«-».  lenK.,)  ge,™„„„.  .„d  h.d  hi  pale  face  £,  ZS^ 

Ke  e  S  hl7-     ""'^T  ?"'"«  **='«"'  '«  Scotland;  .Ta,^ 
inere  to  hinder  mv  fo  owr^nff    »a\  k^m... 

fonnecl   there.      IV^'vate  larr^V  IL  '^l^yTn  'SaTl  'To 
hcense,  no  w,tness_a  quie,  ceremony  some^  fiL  dat   an  M^ 
our  happmess  was  secured  for  hfe.      iJ,e  w«  a  Imie  f;,  ,h      Ia 
%^'^A    ^»  ^»^^r*^-l  P-l-osaK  bm The%on:nt^''^:^ 

«i:,t^=e,^:ra,t7^h'„,id^J'  -.rrrii ' 

m.t.1  he  lool.«i  .,  me  whh  woje,,  but  h.  pa„„J  T,,  *!  'f^' 

oJiSlSi'  T',.'''';  °'  "■''  *™»'-  •paring  September  da. 
our  mamage  took  plaw.     A  «,«rrannja.cj  Jid  .Ln,  "ho  SS 

ooiiie  Had  caused  a  nsiwnsion  of  li  >  daoe^  oerformed  thiV 
«™«.n,-  re-dJ,  eno-gi.  fb,  a  fe.  cro.„a     We'^ere  mlL  ^ 


•nwKwtii 


<)u«stiQa. 


■wj;. 


} 


r-'^f'S^ 


roiDwm  rwtuG9T^ 


'jscap-^; 


•s 


1 


**  I  wonder,  Mfl  M asun,  a*  f ou  sit  there,  and  listen  to  thif 
•tory,  if  .>'ou  kre  not  thinking  me  a  viU^n.     To  win  *  young 
girl's  affections,  to  inveigle  her  into  a  clandestine  mairiage-^ 
to  expose  her  to  iioverty,  to  bring  uj>on  her  the  anger  of  ho      *•> 
friends,  data  seem  hke  the  deetl  of  a  scounJi^'L     But  we  lovetj 
eadi  other,  and  twenty-two  does  not  often  stop  to  reason.    Sh* 
was  inipulsivs,  impassioned,  i^oinantic— I  waf  nuuUy  in  Isvt, 
Wt  headed,  and  with  a  brilliant  career^before  me. ,  Twenty  twe 
'Always  looks  forward  to  a  brilliant   car«er,  )ou    know.     Wt    . 
would  marry  at  all  hazards — tiure  enough  id  lijtcn  to  conunbn 
Knae  afterwardl "  s 

"  When  her  fortnight  among  her  Scottish  f.nondsv^rpired,  she 
femnted  home,  i  followed  h.i*  in  two  days  after,  and  things  wen 
on  in  their,old  way — the  .noonlight  walks,  the  secret  meetings, 
tht  oU!  vows,  and  talk,  and  bliss — old  as  Eden— ^the  sweetei 
alwkys  for  \v\n.^  stolen.  i 

"  She  pleaded  so  hard  not  to  be  sent  back  to  school  until 
after  Christmas,  that  her  uncle,  indulgent  in  all  minor  n^itters, 
consented/  Before  Christmas  we  thought  we  would  run  away 
together,  leaving  a  letter  for  Uncle  (JeoBfrey,  telling  all,  iroulor- 
ing  pardon,  and  Uncle  OeotTrey  would  foam,  and  rage,  and 
swear  for  a  while,  like  the  !*.ght-comedy  father  in  ^he  play,  apd 
the  curtain  would  descend  finally  u|H>n  a  beautiful  tableaw^f  ' 
reconciliation,  we  at  his  feet-  on  our  knees,  and  he  with  nil  ^ 
hands  outsuetched,  sobbing  forth  '  Bless  you,  my  children,  and 
be  happy.'  /- 

••The  aufumn  passed r-such^a  golden  autumn  I     We  had    ' 
been  four  month*  married,  when  o\u  well -guarded  secret  was 
'  discovered.     My  employer  said  nothing — he  was  a  man  raihei 
to  act  than  to  talk — but  suddenly,  without  a  word  of  wainiiig,    , 
my  wifr  was  spirited^anray.     1  was  sent  early  one  day  on  a 
CoiniiMssion  to  the  rilighboring  town  ;  when  I  came  back  she 
KW  gone.     That  is  more  thac  two  and  a  half  years  ako     1 
kay<  never  seen  her  but  for  on^  moment  since,  ar>d  ll4»Hi«a4^ 
festeiUay."  P 

He  paused  again  to  light  another  cigar. 

Drtke  understood  him  perfectly.  He  was  intensely  inter 
Cfted  in  this  story — far  ukmv  interested  than  the  nanatm  yet 
knew. 

*•  There  was  no  scene ;  the  anclf  met  me  even  more  blandly 
poUte  than  usual ;  but  1  felt  he  knew  all.  1'wo  days  after, 
whllf  I  waa  jtilL  oinrpmlved  wriai  course  to  pursue,  h«  ciUx 
ne  to  hit  study — hit  valet  was  busy  about  the  rcMiav  I  iwwwoi 


tv 


raJSitj^i.  ^    .  t 


%  ' 


..>»'  _•.*  .A,    -(  *fc. 


■■■»- 


'^ii'f'^r--^, ' 


M 


t!Ol^  IM  nt^  TWtUQatS 


<^  \. 


\: 


u 


ili>  J 


ber,  at  th4S  tiine— a^d  loekej  up  in  hit  tafe,  in  mj  pr««nce,  i 
quantity  of  unset  jewels,  and  a  sum  of  money  in  bank  note* 
l\  was  an  old-fashioned  safe,  with  an  ordinary  n»ck.  by  no  meana 
me  kind  in  which  to  intrust  three  thouiand  immukIs'  worth  <rf 
eunily  diamonds,  and  su  hundred  pounds  in  money.  He  waa 
Jctatmg  a  letter  to  me  whUe  he  did  this,  and  1  saw  him  pot 
me  key  of  ilie  safe  in  his  pocket 

/••I  am  poing  to  SwansOorongh  this  evening,  Rd^rt,'  he 
fci<d  to  me,  in  Ins  most  confidential  wa),  « and  I  shall  probably 
oot  return  for  two  days  at  leasL  In  iby  absence  the  care  Jl 
t»a»  safe  is  intrusted  to  you.'  ' 

♦*  r  lool^d  at  him  in  8uri)rise  and  distnisit 
"  *  Why  leave*  such  valuaMe  jrwels  in  the  housa?     Why  not 
deposit -them  in  the  Swansborough  Bank  ?' 

|]  f*'s  answer  was  very  careless,  and  quite  ready. 

Because,  immecliately  iifion  my  return,  they  are  to  he  taken 
up  to  London,  to  be  new  set^for  Oljvia.  Her  mama«c  with 
Sip  Vane  Chartens  is  to  take  place  in  two  monihm  and  they 
are  to  be  set  according  to  her  fancy.' 

"He  looked^^^nc  straight  in  the  ^yes,  with  a  dark,  stnisfer 
,smile,  as  he  said  this,  and  left  the  house.  Jt  was  the  middle  d 
the  afterrfoon  as  he  rode  away.  I  recollect  his  turning  round, 
With  the  same  siuile  on  his  dark  (ace,  as  he  rode  down  the  ave- 
oue.^j     '  »  ■      i. 

"•Watch  the  safe,  Robert,'  he/  itpeated  ;  '  It  will  be  u 
Jeoirt  m  your  keeping  as  though Ja  the  atrong  room  of  a 
i>ank.'  ^ 

w  "/'  7^y^^  ™^*"*  ^  *«  «fte^oon.  At  the  tlusk  of  the 
Weak  December  evenhig  wore  oh,  the  postman  brought  the 
waiL  There  was  a  note  from  hef,  dated  Ix>ndon,  beimng  me 
liucome  to  her  at  once— to  Iosm/  not  a  moment  There  waa-. 
*e  address  of  an  inn,  where  I  Wi|[s  to  sUy,  and  at  suth  axv  Iwur 
Je  would  couie  to  me  there.  I  never  doubtetUhai  note 
Wkat  wa^  my  employer,  and  hii  diamonds  and  his  safe,  io  m« 

•I  u  '^*"  *"  '"^  ^^"^  packed  tny'portmanieau,  waited 
onjiJ  the  house  wak  quiet,  and  that  ve^  night,  wuhout  inform. 
fc»f  any  one,  was  on  my  way  to  lx>nd<^n.  I  reacheil  the  inn 
•  le  the  hext  day.  A  great  pa^t  of  the  journey  was'peiforhied 
to  stage-coaches.  I  wau«d  fcW  my  wife,  but  she  never  catue. 
f  waned  three  days.  At  the  fend  of  il^jit  time  there  came,  in- 
*^jofOlma^er  tmde  an4  a^  pfficer  of  the  law,  ani|«ir  with 

Om  the  nigitt  of  ihy  d^spaiiurl^  my 


\ 


\ 


B  1 


r 


c 


I 


C 


\  / 


yy-, 


r 


:^  I 


!WflC6(  t 

tk  note* 
\u  rneaai 
rorth  at 
HewM 
him  pal 

bert,'  he 
probably 
care  i^ 


Vhv  not 


retaken 
H;e  with 
lad  they 

sinisfer 
iddleof 
;  round, 
Lhe  ave- 

I  be  M  \ 
in  <rf  a  'V 

of  the 
|ht  the 
mg  nie 
ere  wae-- 
M^liour  \ 
t  .note 
,  TO  me 

waited 
inform- 
:he  inn 
formed 

canie.  " 
me,  in- 
idwith    . 


.1    ■  \ 


■.    „> 


r 


i* 


rjtn  ^-trruGMT, 


^ 


V 


itftier  unexpectedly,  I8bnd  the  safe  unlocked,  the  iewels  and 
money  none.  /  »'»s  jjone,  too.  hvcr)-  "iiimatc  of  lhe  honse 
was  A^iarained,  but  all  proved  '.neir  innocehce  criumphantly.  i 
C  was  the  giiiit>  party  beypuid  a  doubt,  and  I  was  followed. 
After  two  days'  search  they  found  nie.  I  and  my  luggage  were 
to  be  examined*  1 -listened  with  astonishment  and  angei  an« 
scorn  !  Kxamine  !  Let  them  examine  as  long  as  they  pleased '. 
They 'searched  me— a  degradation  1  submitted  to,  aiiire  witt 
.rage !  They  examined  niy  portmanieau.  ThSfe,  carcfiiU) 
'     sewec  up  in  the  Uning,  the  jnveU  and  money  were,  found  I 

•«  i^y  late  employer  disnnssed  the  detective.  We  were  left 
alone  together.  He  looked  at  me  mOre  in  sorrow  than  b 
anger;  and  I— I  sat  benunvbed  My  gufiU  wavi>lain  ;  there 
were  Uie  J2wcls  and  money-^the  number  of  the  notes  all  taken 
ariu  found  to  correspond.  What  had  1  to  say  for  myself  that  1 
sliOdld  not  toe  handed  over  to  the  law  ?  1  had  not  a  word.  I 
KU  stunned,  and  listened  to  him  while  he  talked.  For  m)  • 
dead  parents'  sake— poor  but  honest  people— for  godfather's 
sake,  he  was  willing  to  spa^e  pie,  On  condition  that  I  left  the 
country  at  once  and  forever,  Ishould  not  be  given  over  to  the 
fate  /  deserved — hard  labor  and  penal  servitude,  most  likely,  foi 
life.  Ills  niece,  who  had  been  greatly  shocked  by  the  news, 
had  begged  him  to  hand  riie  a  note  ;  he  would  give  me  half  an 
hour  to  decide  and  to  rea'd  what  she  had  to  say.  I  tore  open 
I  tie  note  as  he  left  me,  stiU  too  stunfted  to  utter  a  word. 

"  'She  knew  all,'  she  wrote  :  'she  fe^ed  me  for  Meaven'i' 
uke  not  to  provoke  her  uncle  t<)  prJ^Kute.     He  was  nraerci-. 
less,  if  once  aroused,  and  everything,  was^against  me.     She  be- 
Heved  in  my  innocence,  would  always  love  ine,  and  be  true  to. 
me,  but  I  miist  fly  now,  and  without  iseeing  her.     She  6^*^ 
not  see  me,  it  would  break  her  heart,  it  would  kill  her,  il  J 
were  arrested  and  condemned,  as  I  wo^ld  surely  be — hanged, 
even,  perhaps.      She  fell  as  though  she  were  going  mad— I 
must  <W— 1  must  fly— if  I  had  ever  |cj|r?d  her,  l)wotiid  teaw 
Kcgland  now.'  .  —^ 

'•  She  gave  me  an  address  to  which  I  rtught  writi  to  her,  aao 
■he  would  answer  me,  would  fly  to  join  me  presently— any- 
thing, *s  that  1  did  not  suffer  mys^  U^  anested  for  rt>bb«7 

now.  '"^* 

"  What  could  I  do?    What  would  yon  have  done  m  such  • 
'  >     1  kn^-w  there  Was  a  vile  conspi  acy  againit  m^  of  hei 


.r 


,1 


:5-«e 


aaele'9  making,  but  1  never  thought  he  forged  those  lettiBft 
To  have  been  arrested  would  hAve  been  aa  eid  u»  ell  bopt  > 


fe:v 


■l'»?i  ■'■^-'^ 


A 


f^  rmtueffr. 


m. 


n 


i#,g«flt  seemed  pajpable  asthe  light  o/  noon.  Tr  «  «ute  oi 
JuUen  fiiry  accepted  the  scdundrd's  teiins— I  left  Knaland 
Dying  from  the  consequences  of  a  crune  I  had  ntr^i  comSitlec 
—almost  maddened— with  no  ho|>e.  save  in  hei  hutij  and  6 
dehty  and  love.  ^^ 

"I  began  «,y  new  life  in  a  thriving  wettem  village,  riiim 
fest  to  a  populous  town  For  twelve  ...oi^|i#.uck  wenT  stead^r 
igau,st  n,e ;  then  the  ram  can.e.  I  in./an^od;er  surt«j  in  • 
buimess  that  flouhshf.d ;  we  made  money-tl.e  object  of  d  i 
life  was  bemg  fast  ac.;omplished— a  sure  and  safe  competforj 
oLl^^r'l  'r'"^  'f  beh.nd  .„e.  I  tell  you  here  on^  V. 
pUiu,  sunple  facts    jf  my  story—of  n.y  sufferings— of  rny  de 

«,  /  and  by  th.-  loss  of  all  man  holds  dear- 1  tell  you  noth 
«t^  of  what  sleepless  nights  and  wretcheil  days  her  silence  and 
my  ...spense  caused  me.  For  she  never  wrote-no  letlei 
came  from  her  to  the  address  in  London,  to  be  forwarded  to 
I!If;  n  /r"""  ^'""  ^"^  *8*'n  to  that  adilress— the  letters  lay 
uncalled  for.  I,  was  wbrse  than  useless  to  write  to  her  to  th*" 
court ;  IJiMw  her  uncle  well  enough  to  be  sure  they  would 


never  re 

up  ever 

along 

claii 

ra-ucif 

however 


r.  There  were  times  when  I  was  ready  to  throw 
the  tide  m  my  affairs  that  was  leading  me  slowly 
^  and  nish  back  to  Fnglanti,  and  brave  all,  and 


lif  these  moods  passed.  It  would  have  been 
her  out  unlil  I  had  a  home,  however  humble, 
!ke  that  to  which  she  ha«l  been  accustomed,  to 
bring  her  to,  m  iJus  new,  strange  land.  UTi^n  at  last  cormoon 
sense,  reason,  pnidence,  all  were  forgotten,  what  do  vju  thini 
caused  me  to  leave  all  that  was  becommg  so  precious  to  m.. 
and  rush  madly  back  tnto  the  very  danger  from  which  I  fled?" 
Uuke  made  no  rep5y.  He  was  scarcely  breathing,  so  vivid 
1^  his  inleresi,  Robert  Hawksley  did  not  seem  to  ex,,ect  a 
teply-he  was  looking  out  at  the  darkening,  lam|>lit  street 

A  dream— neither  morf  nor  less  I    A  dream  broujiht  me 
back  to  hngland.     On  the  night  of  the  twenty-third  of   Alarcb 

-iw  T  u"^'""  ^"  "••'  ^'^^  ^"'^  «'*^  *'  "'y  ^«<is'Je,  pal..  an« 
mid  as  I  had  never  seen  her,  wringing  hej-  hands,  and  lookini 
^r.rfJ'  sad,  imploring  eyes.  I  started  up  wide  awake,  u 
tod  the  moonlight  filling  my  room,  and  my  dream  over  Th4 
next  night,  at  precisely  the  same  hour,  near  midnight.  1  dream 
IJe  »me  dream  again.  But  it  was  on  the  following  nuht  th«^ 
Jie  strangest  event  of  all  happened,  an  event  so  siSn^  thaTT 
tove  not  erased  to  winder  at  u  yet,  and  ao  less  pro^hcDc  UuQ 


e 


.-I~~  >.- .     I 


I"--' 


~r^ 


raiB  (/f  tint  Twiuegr, 


99 


"On  the  mght  of  the  twenty-ftfth  of  March,  having  been  very 
tmty  all  day,  and  suffering  from  headache,  I  retired  eaily.  I 
d'd  not  fall  asleep  directly ;  1  lay  tossing  about,  and  thinking 
of  my  d  I  earn,  tuU  of  fears  for  her,  and  doubt  for  myself.  I 
think  it  was  nine  o'clock,  the  house  was  very  still,  Jie  room 
nitii-ety  darkened,  for  I  had  closed  die  shatters  an^  curtaim, 
ind  therc'was  neither  fire  nor  light  I  was  not  asleep ;  I  XBt 
perfectly  aware  of  it ;  {  was  as  broad  aw||||  as  J  am  at  thif 
aainute,  an  J  m»  eyes  were  6|>e%  when  lu^fjffy  a  picture  shone 
before  me  through  the  darkness,  and  I  saw  every  object  mon 
plainly  than  I  see  the  lamps  shifting  down  there,  in  the  twilight 

•*I  s;»w  a  room — long,  low,  dark,  old  fashioned,  lit  by  a  wojmI- 
fire,  on  a  broad  hearth.  I  saw  an  open  window.  J  could  feel 
the  cold  night  air  ujion  my  face,  as  I  lay.  An  open  piano 
8tot*d  near  the  window,  through  which  I  caught  a  glimpse  t^f  a 
stonny,  moonlit  sky,  and  tossing',  wind-blown  trees.  By  thr 
window,  looking  out  into  the  night,  stood  a  girl,  dressed  in  a 
iirk  red  silk  robe,  which  trailed  behind  her,  and  glimmered 
\ike  rubies  in  the  firevhine.  I  could  see  the  diamonds  tlashiiig 
f\  her  ears  and  on  her  hands,  her  yellow,  unbound  hair,  her 
large,  dark  eyes.  It  was  Olivia  ;  pale  and  wan,  as  I  had  seen 
her  in  my  dreams,  her  sweet  face  hof»elessly  sail,  the  large  eye^ 
hollow  and  haggard,  I  saw  her  stretch  forth  her  hands  with  a 
passionate  gesture,  1  heard  her  wild,  despainng  cry-^'  Oh,  mj 
Robert — my  Robert — <omt  bath  I ' 

"  And  then  it  had  all  faded  in  thr  twinkling  of  an  eye,  and  I 
was  in  my  darkened  chamber,  sitting  up  in  beti,  with  the  cold 
dews  heavy  on  my  face. 

••Six  days  after,  I  look  passage fVom  New  York  to  England. 
Dream  or  vision,  whatever  it  was,  it  possessed  me  like  an  evil 
spirit.     1  left  everything,  and  came  back  to  search  for  rav  lost 

«ife." 

*  A  nd  )'OU  found  her  ?  "  Duke  breathlessly  cried. 

Robert  Hawkslcy  made  no  reply.  His  last  cigar  had  been 
jmoked  out;   ne  sat  like  a  sutue  of  black  marble  arnid  the 

"Yon  found  her,"  Duke  repeated,  unable  to  contain  him- 
ttU,  "t  bride  I  You  found  her  it  the  altar,  another  man'« 
wife!"  ^ 

Hawkaley.  the  least  eadted  of  the  two,  tnmed  and  Rooked 


**  How  da  ><w  know  that  7"  V«e  asked. 

<«  I  know  more  than  jroo  ijaink,"  auid  Dolce^  stfll^dlloltedx 


--I 


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^y«w  toa^id  hrr  marri^  to  Sir  Vane  Charteria.     The  UmI-  ^o, 
«w  i»  ,x.  ir  mion  was  Miss  Olivia  I.yndiih  ;  and  on  tS7.w! 
«-ght-ihc   twenty-fifth  of  last  n.onth-/  skrar?d  h«Lj1J 
*^tj  *ha,  vou  saw  and  heard  in  that  singular  viW'^ 
JKolvTt  lUwksley  wa»  fiilly  aroused  now      K©  had  tolrf  hi. 

«ce  fl!i8hed  diep  red  as  he  rose.  *""  *«"i^ 

a•i^^/^i^^:^::'^^•^'^^~-'3^.   •^Yoo  wad- 

wtele"aZr"7H"  Ik"^  ' "  ^"'^'^  interrupted.  "  Fll  tell  you  thd 
^r  w^leard  i^"  f  ""P^  ^'^'^  "'°«  -""^erful  thing  5 
Mirer  was  heard  »*      GooJ  gracious  1   what  would  RoLm. 

Then  nuke  Af».son,  with  breathless  volubility,  quite  unlike 

^nT  ^^  ^^i*"  ""^  ^'"""^  ^^^"^  "^^^^  he  had  heard,  all  Le  h2 
•ecn,  up  to  the  moi/ient  of  Geoffrey  I.yndith's  awJara^cT!? 
Ae  wamngroom  of  JiW  Speckhaven  station.         ''^^'^'^'^  *» 

Irinmnh  rt'  "J'*'  '-""^'"d'^^1'  out  of  breath,  and  elowing  with 
friumph,  "  Hhat  do  ycu  .hink  of  that  f  Are  you  latisfi^f  Z? 
that  she  always  loved  you-always  was  true  to  you  """^  °^ 

a.oTe  on"  HalTsIej'  ^at  ""^^T  ^k""  ^*^*'  '^^  ^*"«  <>"<=• 
tuwic  un  nawKsieys  face.     Only  the  tremor  in  his  voir*,  h* 

**>^f  "^  *"'*'  h'^  '^^l^  «^hen  he  answered  :  ""*  •*• 

*t^'JIJ*"»  "°'  "**^.  ^°  ^^'^  «"^  "^  strong  emotion  off  th. 

^a«l  ^   k"'!""'.**-  ^'•"  ^''^^^^^I'ng'r  uncomfortab^ 
Hawksley  bn.ke  tl.e  silence,  and  looked  up.     ^ 

to^^W  ,1 ,  ""*  '^hat  argument  her  uncl^  used  to  mdJ!Tm 
to  >ield,  and  go  with  him  ?  Vo.i  say  she  defiini  h;I«  -Ta-? 
«k!  w^  resolutely  ben,  on  going  w^you  "^'^  hun  at  fir^, 
.  .She  wa..    ,H.ke  said.     "  I,  p„„,«,  „,  fo,  ^^e  time,  but  I 

in    rtl    tku '     .     ..  . 


%\m  P««k«  ««  h«k«TOl  «d  nld  U>«  Bttl.  <n*,d,  ,( 


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I  th&t  rery 
hetri  in 

n."      " 
d  told  hii 
til  Uni^ 

oo  wocU 

llyoath^ 
thing  that 
Ru^anna  \ 

te  unlike 

night  of 

il  he  had 

u-ance  at 

nng  with 
ti(^  Dot 

len  onc« 
'oice  bo 

when  I 
r  uncle's 
My  dar- 
uuid  up 
nt  dead 

off  tht 


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ucefaM 
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Lfe  it  a 


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rOlD  tH  TbM  TWrUGMl. 


91 


Ime  •ni!  fear  and  nine  months  before,  when  Di  Worth  had 
been  rooted  out  in  the  rain,  to  assist  at  the  birth  of  a  babf 
girl,  at  K^ndith  Grange.  Once  more  Robert  Lisle  started  erect, 
and  eag-r  to  listen  He  renieml'cred  the  words  Geofre)  Ljrn- 
dith  hail  let  fall,  of  a  child  that  nad  died  on  the  day  of  iti 
birth. 

••  My  pinion  i?,"  Duke  said,  "that  old  fluke  of  an  nnde  ab 
dnctcd  the  child  and  kept  it  from  her  all  along ;  and  on  thai 
digfft,  in  the  waiting-room,  promised  to  give  it  up  to  her  il  sht 
irould  cfllnsent.      She  thought  )  ou  dead ;  she  would  sacrifice 


anythmg, 


given  the 
"Ther 
is  the 
mysteriou 
to  make 
and  hair  r 


^  hke  most  mothers,  for  her  baby,  and  she  consented 
for  its  sake.  And,"  continued  Duke,  in  a  perfect  burst  of 
triumph,  ['that  child  is  in  the  next  n)om  f " 

"  In  the  next  room  ?'  Mr.  '.isle  could  but  just  repeat  "In 
the  next  ioom  ! "  And  once  agam  Duke  began — there  seenied 
no  end  tci  the  story-telling— and  related  the  receipt  of  Olivia's 
note,  and|  how  sinj^ilarly  on  her  wedding  morning  she  had 
:hild  to  hts  care. 

can  be  no  douM  whatever  about^it,"  Duke  said  ;  "  it 
e  cb'ld  of  Dr.  Worth's  tale,  and  your  wife  was  thr 
lady  She  told  me  plainly  the  child  was  hers,  and 
surance  doubly  sure,  it  has  a  locket  with^your  picture 
lund  its  neck.  My  sister  recognized  the^  likeness  this 
morning,  a|nd  siioke  to  me  about  it  You  saw  the  child  half  a 
dozen  times  to-day — yours  beyond  the  shadow  of  a  doobt  Its 
paternity  is  written  in  its  eyes." 

There  wjas  still  another  pause.      Duke  got  up  and  lit  the 
ooip — he  avoided  these  blanks  in  the  conversation. 

"  I'll  fetc^  Polly  in,  if  yoa  lie— she  calls  herself  Polly— 'tiMt 
is,  if  she's  njot  asleep."  A 

Rut  Polly  WAS  asleep ;  and  not  (or  a  regiment  of  ^Ahfen 
would  K(/salnna  have  her  disturbed.  She  was  reading  BUif*! 
Sermons  by  [a  solitary  dip  in  the  kitchen,  and  looked  about  ai 
plai'ahle  ami  )'iel(ling  as  a  granite  Medusa. 
'  "A J  Mr.l  HaA-kftley  has  waited  so  long,  I  dare  say  he  cat 
trait  until  lAoming,'  was  her  grim  reply,  as  she  went  back  te 
Kail's  SeraK^Dx 

« Your  sifter  is  ri^ht,"  Mr.  Hawksley  said.     He  was  white 
as  nuible,  a^d  looked  abnost  as  cold,     "i  will'  see  the  child 

\p^  morrow  toi  aay_good  by." i^    .      ,     .      . 

— *^30<thyTf    Then  yon  mean  to  1«Evc  England    lo  give  if 
pOdaiiB  to-i-" 
M 1^  U^aitttuw"  h«  Bftkc  the  nama  quk*  aJnly.  qdlt 


'-'^i^^l^^J^L.O!      ■ 


■^     ,-.  I 


TOLD  W  Tin  TWTUvBtL 


o»l<»y^  ««b  oat  of  FngUuid  by  this  time,  on  the  fim  ttaff«  of 
her  bndal  ;our  to  lialy.  Kor  her  sake  I  once  gave  upname. 
character,  and  my  native  lan.J ;  for  hlpi  sake  J  make  a  Veat2 
Mcnfice  now.  I  give  up  herself.  .  TMnk.  for  a  iiioin-.ni:  of  al' 
that  isjnvolved  in  my  comma  forward  and  claiiuinii  her  J 
break  her  heart,  1  blight  her  life,  and  in  the^nomem  we  meet 
we  ate  torn  apart  I  to  stand  my  trial  as  a  th,ef.  I  am  inn« 
cent ;  but  I  camiot  prove  it  It  is  the  old  struggle  of  mi£l« 
agamst  nght  A.  ,t  is,  she  may  learn  to  forget ;  hJppircs.  ?nd 
grace  riuiy  come  to  her.  I  cahnot  make  her  the  talk  o? 
fc.n«'"»i  I  can't  drag  the  story  of  her  girlish  indiscretion 
before  the  world.  She  will  cease  to  think*  of  me.  and  I -" 
He  clenched  h>«  hands,  and  great  drops  stood  on  his  ,uillid 
u-    r  \r\     "^  ^''*'P  """  ^'°"'  *  suicide's  cowaiJly  endl" 

them.  So  Duke  Mason,  with  bated  breathy  and  a  great  com 
passion  in  his  heart,  left  him.  *  . 

«.t^lnr"'"i?  ??"!:  ^^'^  *"*^  ^^rcv^X.  A  I^ndon  fog  had 
set  m,  and  a  sky  like  brown  paper  frowned  down  on  the  sniokt 
city.     Bu,  little  Poll,    in  her  blue-silk  dress,  bronze  Z^tl 

fn  W^K  ^^''l'  f""^  *'"'^"  ringlets,  looked  sunshiny  enough 
to  hght  up  the  whole  parish  of  Hloomsbury  herself 

The  strange  gentleman  with  the  blue  eyes  so  IjUJier  owa 
and  tawny  beard,  took  her  in  his  arms,  ind  locjBfeto  hS 
jniall  face;  and  Polly,  who  flouted  Duke  ahilBEna  L 
liaughtily  M  though  she  had  been  Czarina  of  ♦ll  oTRussiaa^ 
f  •  took  to  hun  ••  in  a  way  that  was  quite  amazij^  She  k  S 
lh»  bearded  l.ps.  let  him  look  at  her  locket.  toiU  him  he,  t«S 
Iwas  Polly,  and  that  "  Dozy"  was  ••  all  gone  a^ray  " 

^I  suppose  her  name-  is  Mary,"  DUke  suggested,  "and  %ht 
/calls  herself  Polly  for  short"  «,     •«««  iiw 

"  Her  name  is  Paulina,"  Mr.  Hf  wkslev  said  quietlr.  «« |  am 
quite  certain  of  it^  Pauline  was  the  na^•  of-of  her  inateiS 
grandmother,  and  of  her  mother's  twin  sister-an  old  f JunS 
naine  ainong  the  I.yndith..  This  child's  name  is  pluUnl 
J»      I    .\  '"''  "»ot*^«''«  "«»«=  in  America,  and  ihall  kw. 

It     let  her  grow  up  as  Mason;  keep  her  with  you  alwava 

2;^m<ir.i';^S^"  •'°"*'  ^•*"'  ^^-  ^^^  ^» » -^-v.  i'.t 

JI^' J^Tl-'^fj!'"''  >-^"^if  gW.  wistfulljr.  and  put  her  dowv 
«•«  an  l*jiif  later,  and  be  haTT^TSlf.MooB  T^nu:.!?  ^ 


^ 


f". 


\ 


;-.i 


ttage  of 
i\)  name, 
»  greaia 
nt,  of  al' 
her.  ] 
we  meet 
im  inn* 

r.es»  and 
talk  of 
iscretion 
nd  I—" 
is  |>alHd 
Kcndl" 
rd  upon 
at  com-  ^ 


f". 


s 


A-  \ 
rOLB  IS  THE   TWIUGBT. 


n 


'  The  '1.And  of  Columbia '  leaves  agsi«*  to-aorro«,"  ke  said 
to  Doke ;  "  I  shall  return  by  her." 

.T.iey  shook  hands  and  parted  with  no  more  words,  an'l  Uw 
Kene-paintei  went  to  the  Kntannia.  He  was  not  sentimeatai 
aor  unaginative<in  any  way,  b'Jt,  all  that  day,  ano  for  irumy 
iayx  the  pale  face  and  dark  eyes  of  Robert  llawksley  haunted 
lim  like  a  ghost  ■  The  "  1  ^nd  of  Cohunbia  "  sailed  on  Tuea- 
ia)  morning.  On  Tueiday  night  there  came- a  letter  to  Half 
It.'ion  I'enace,  addressed  to  Duke.  A  check  for  five  hundred 
pounds  fel  out  when  he  opened  it,  and  he  read  these  lines : 

"  Yau  spoKe  of  wishing  to  mt«  enow^h  to  purckaw  for  yoorwJf  k  hooM 
jt  Speckhaven,  where  you  nid  there  wu  •  belter  openio^  tor  jrou  .than  la 
Lunduii  It  i*  my  desire  that  you  should  do  to  a>  ou^^^  for  my  ckUd'i 
iftke.  Oiire  a  year  •  will  write  to  you,  and  you  to  mt,  'e.ling  me  of  bm 
riogreis  and  weilare.  I  go  to  make  a  fortune  for  her  -,  pleaw  (fod,  mv" 
wugi,:er  «haU  be  an  heiress,  before  «hom  those  who  Kom  her  now  ihafr 
yet  U«w  down.  Let  her  grow  up  as  your  own — in  utter  ignorance  of  ha 
awn  stury-  I  f  I  live,  I  may  one  day  retom  to  England,  and  to  her-  -if  I 
ii»,  be^  baha^  in  o^y  stead.  't 

t  "ROBBET   HAWKSLVf.** 

And  so  the  first  cEfiptei  in  little  Folly's  stnmge  histoihfr  vnu 
t'ead  and  Gilded 


PART  SECOND. 


CHAPTER  I. 


■-jfj 


AFTER   FOURTEEI*. YEARS. 

|VD  It  wil'  be  the  most  splendid  thing  ever  seen  Is 
Si^ckhteven,  Rnsanna!  Figure  to  yourself  yards 
and  yards  of  Chinese  lanterns  sparkling  ihroMjrh 
•-he  tr^es,  plashing  fountains,  and  the  divine 
nrmsrc  of  Flolrr  4sdale's  military  brass  band!  Fancy  the 
long  tables  groaning— that's  the  word— groaning  under 
the  roast  beef  of  oid  England,  and  foaming  flagons  of  ale! 
Fancy  flags  flying,  and  bells  ringing,  and  everybody  eat- 
ing and  drinking,  and  making  merry,  and  four'litile  Polly 
sharing  the  glories  of  the  hour  with  the  Honorable  Guy 
Paget  Earlscourt,  second  and  favorite  soq  o(  Lc/d  Montt 
lien,  of  Montalien  Priory,  Lincolnshire." 
"  Polly  r 

**  Wei;  I  mean  as  the  prettiest  girl  at  the  feast.  And  T  m 
quite  determmed  to  go,  RosAt^a,  so  iron  my  white  muslin 
dress,  like  a  dear  old  love,  and  say  no  more  about  it." 

The  spirited  speaker  of  this  oration  stood  in  the  middle 
of  the  floor,  a  tall  slip  of  a  girl,  with  a  slim  waist,  sunburnt 
hands,  and  a  clear,  ringing,  sweet  young  voice.  The  pretti- 
estMght  on  earth— afair,  joyous,  healthy  girl  of  sivteen. 

~      It  WasT»rdrfi  nnnn  n.r 't   A^y,,.:^.,„    t.._-  jt..    _. .  j      .   ' 


It  was  high  noon  of  a  delicious  June  day.  and  she  stood  in 
a  burst  of  sunshine  that  flooded  the  parlor  that  flashed  in 


tih 


i^K-' 


m 


"    AfTEH  y0VMTKElf  YBAAX  ^ 

her  diort  aohnm  cnrts,  and  »j>arkierf  back  from  her  joyoiu  e>e<*. 
Fourteen  yrars  ago  you  satr.n?r  a  lovely  baby,  ani  now  she  ifc  tl 
"  Rnglish  miss"  of  sixteen.     And  hias  the  jaubisLhy  beaaty  ftiJlf 
kept  'ts  promise  in  the  girl  ?     Well,  at  first  gbnce  you  might  be  in 
cUned  to  say  •#.     Crop  the  flo^rtg  locks  nf  the  Venu*  Anady . 
onene,  give  her  a  sunbturnt  x^mplexion,  and  a  smudge  of  dul 
»n  iiei  no^e.  put  her  in  a  torn  dress,  and  what  becomes  of  youi 
goddess  bu    a  good-lookmg  yo.tffi|;  woman  with  a  pair  of  fuM* 
eyes?     Fo    ^  Ubors  under  all  those  disadvantages  at  pie&«nt. 
after  h^l^nU-  •  dusty  walk  |hroiigh  the  blazing  noonday  sun  ;  boi 
it  ipite*6f  the  smud|e  on  Ker  nose,  it  is  a  very  pretty  nose^ 
perfect  in  ^lape  and  chiselhng.     The  mouth  may   be  a  trill* 
larger  than  a  rose-bud.  (terhaps,  but  it  is  a  handitonr^  month, 
witn  thai  iw^uare  cut  at  the  corners,  which  makes  a  mouth,  at 
once  resoi'ite  and  sweet     She  may  be  tanned  ;  you  may  see  $ 
few  i/eck;r«  under  her  eyes,  but  oh,  those  eyes  I— so  blue,  bO 
radiant,  rta^hing  with  life,  and  health,  and  fim,  and  rrischief; 
frooi  itioriung  till  night  I     You  neither  saw  freckles  nor    tan, 
once  tiiei/  lustre  Aashrd  m»on  you.     The  auburn  hair  is  short- 
cropped^-and  all  curling  round  her  hea«i ;  and  standing  there  in 
the  June  sunlight,  she  lo«>ks  like  a  saucy  boy,  an  audariously 
saucy  boy,  ready  for  anything-  in  the  way  of  Kin  or  fi  jlic,  from 
■moking  a  cigar  to  riding  an  unbroken  colt  round  th«.  paddock, 
without  saddle  or  bridle. 

Rosanna  sits  before  her — Rosanna,  whom  old  Tin.e  no  nnort 
dare  apfiroach  than  any  other  man.  Fourteen  yea.f  liave  lefJ 
hrr  absolutely  and  e^'Tely  unchanged — grim  of  arpect  kindly 
o^  heart.  shar)>  of  tongue,  and  a  model  c^  all  the  (  hiistian  and 
domestic  virtues,  with  only  one  weakness,  ai.d  Ml  it — Pul'iy  I 
Polly,  who  has  been  her  torment,  her  plague,  h"*  idol,  any 
nnie  those  fourteen  years ;  whom  she  worries  abou;  *il  day,  and 
fHose  ii:nun\<:rable  sin*  and  ill -doings  k?ep  tun  awake  aO 
night  i  whom  she  scolds,  and  loves,  and  spoils,  «i.d  to  whoM 
*ili  she  bows  m  as  abject  sabnu&uon  as  ha  'weak-fbiAdc4 
tkinthei  hiin»eUl 

Polly's  f arliest  recollection  is  of  this  pleasant  eight-roAmed 
Jmuse,  in  'ht  suburbs  of  Speckhaven,  with  its  littfr.  Ilowergar* 
den  in  front,  lu  kitchen -garden  and  paddcck  in  the  real,  it» 
MWtles*  whitenes5  of  walC  and  brilliant  green  of  shattera.  Of 
London,  and  "  Ikuy,"  and  her  baby  life,  all  roenwry  u  fona 
9ie-beltevad  the  iiwf  ^  herself  current  in  the  ^artnt^m^ntf 
•imple  itory  —thai  .she  is  the  orpnan  child  of  dear  old  r>iike'i 
oousin,  dea^  and  gone,  asd  left  aa  the  aoU:  legaqr  fii  tibf  ^' 
tag 


^^ 


] 


96    V  A^TER  FOVRTREN   YEAKS. 

"  And  a  precicras  legacy  I  have  been  »"  PoI1>  wai  wont  te 
pbiierye  in  fwirenthesis.'  "Duke  don't  mind  inv  enormiticaj 
indeed,  if  I  murdered  sometKxly,  I  don't  thmk  it  would  surpriM 
or  rrouble  ktm  any,  but  tl.at  poor  Rosapna  !  Tvo  been  biing 
tt|  her  gray  hairs  (she  won't  dye)  with  sorrow  lo  Spcckhaven 
iLe^.tery,  everv  hour  since  she  got  me  first." 

-*i?li*'**oJ!  **^*^'  "''•  ^^^  "''"*•  '''*">'•  healthy,  and  self. 

w\Ax  Z^  ^'^  I'ersisted  in  catching  every  disofdtr  incidenUi 
'•  childlHMd.  She  had  matie  Rosanna  sit  up  wiih  her  frr  weeki 
»nd  weck«  together,  and  she  had  torn  more  new  dresses,  and 
himbled  off  more  diz^y  heights,  than  any  other  child  on  record, 
hhe  hked  her  own  way,  .and  insisted  on  having  it,  with  an 
energy  worthy  a  better  cause,  and  here  she  stood  at  sixteen  tha 
prettiest  and  wiUlect  nodcap  in  Lincolnshire— a  handsome 
l>lue-eyed  brunette. 

With  Robert  Hawkslcy'sfive  hundred  pounds  Puke  had  pur- 
chased  this  pretty  cottage,  just  outside  the  large,  busy  town  of 
bpeckhaven  ;  and  Rosanna's  dream  was  realized  of  a  cottage 
in  the  country,  with  Hower-garden  and  |>oultry  yard. 

Once  every  year  since  then,  Duke  had  received  a  letter,  con- 
Uining  fifty  pounds,  and  all  of  those  fifty  jKMinds  were  safely 
nestled    in  Sfwckhaven    Hank  for    Polly.     ,\lr.    Hawksley  ha^ 
lone  to  California  when  first  the  gold  fever  broke  out  thete,  t^d 
fiwi  Christmas,   when  his  letter    came,    was    there    sdH ;    bul 
whether  making  that  promivd  fortune  or  not,  Duke  h\d  n« 
meant  oi  knowing,  and  Mr.  liawksley  never  said      Polly  icnet* 
him  as  her  godfather,  and  wvi  ♦'ery  much  obliged  to  him  indeed  "T 
for  his  handsome  presents,  which  constituted  such  a  nice  littli 
sum  for  her  in  the  bank      She  wrote  him  a  letter  every  yeai 
jBnce  ahc  first  learned  to  w^^te ;  but  beyond  this  of  herself  or 
hmi  slie  knew  nothing.     Duice  still  persevered  in  his  old  voca 
tion.  and  was  scene  paint-rm-chicf  to  Speckhaven  Lyceum,  and 
poi trait  painter  to  the  town.\ 

^The  fourteen  years  had  glided  on  smooUilv.  uneventfully- 
Jtwi  which  one  eventful  month  shone  out  a  bright  oasis  in  the 
desert      He  walked  to  I;y7i«lith  ('.range  tometimes.  in  the  grat 

li  u"""'"*"  *''*'^'"8-  S"»<»"»««g  his  pipe,  and  thinking  o^  that 
cold  ^l4ich  night  so  long  ago,  when  the  romance  of  his  life  te- 

Sin      Of  the  actors  in  'iiat  romance  he  had  never  seen  anr 
'"»t»\»c5  th**  day  he  ha«l  bidden  farewell  to  R«l>crt  Ha-arkdcy 
-Of  Mi.-4-^iffn-y  r  yndith.  of  Su  Van*  in,f  r.aiTv  aiarterii,  li 
oev«r  ^^  Reard  the  names.     They  ni:ght  be  alt  dead  and 
kiinc4.  w  oompteieiy  had  they  dropped  out  of  Lu  liJe.     !>• 


:iiik^A  I.    ^.vi--,*i,K,.i,^ 


■~^. 


•  wont  te 
lurmities  ; 
Ifi  surpriM 
een  bring 
wckhaven 

and  srtf. 
incidenui 
for  week  I 
ihses,  xnd 
m  record. 
,  with  an 
xteen  the 
andsome, 

had  pur- 
'  town  of 
a  cottage 

tter,  con- 
re  safely 
sley  hard 
^»el^,  apd 
(tli :   but 
■  b\d  n#?^ 
•Ilv  <cn«i 
I  indeed, 'T 
lice  littli 
ery  year 
icrself  or 
>lr1  voca 
?uin,  and 

V.fully  - 
is  II)  th; 
the  gray 
!  of  that 
( life  be- 
sen  anf- 


I 


tent,  hm 
iad  aiMi 
1    TW 


aid  Grange  was  utterly  deserted  n^ ;  0)e  arim  gateway  #odH 
jneid  to  any  hand  that  chuse  to  push  it,  out  few  ever  chose. 
Stray  artists  wlio  thought  it  pictiursque  in  its  decay,'  made 
sketches  of  it  wSen  the  sua^  shone,  but  afier  nightfall  neith<^i 
artist  nor  |)easant  hke*!  to  bnger  in  its  gloomy  precincts.  ThtHW 
visits,  and  an  occasional  look  a/  his  treasured  opal  ring,  wtrc 
til  that  remained  to  Duke,  besides  his  bright  Polly,  to  keepjjit 
/neiiiory  of  that  past  time  alive.  '  Dr.  Worth  still  told  the  stdrj 
3f  that  rainy  night,  when  he  had  been  carried  olT  bodily  tif  tiil 
Giange ;  but  i>eople  were  getting  tired  of  hearing  it,  aud  weie 
more,  inier^ested  in  the  great  house  of  the  neighborhood,  Mon- 
talien  F*riory,  where  great  goings-on  were  this  tune  taking  pla<.e. 
Ix}rd  Montalien's  second  son  was  just  of  age,  on  the  third  of 
Jane,  and  jhere  was  to  be  a  birthday  celebration,  ami  that's 
why  Polly  stands  here  flushed,  and  swinging  her  gypsy  hat  by 
its  rosy  ribbons,  and  talking  with  many  gestures  and  vast  inter- 
est to  Rosanna. 

"  Dinner  at  sunset  on  the  lawn,  Rosanna,"  the  girl  was  say- 
bg,  with  her  face  all  alight  ;  "  all  the  tenantry  and  all  the 
trades(>eople  belqnging  to  the  Priory,  and  anybody  the  bailiff 
and  Mrs.  Haiii()er,  the  housekeei>er,  like  to  invte  beside.  1 
have  an  invitation  from  bcjih  of  'em,  and  I'm  going  with  Alic« 
Warren.  Then  after  dinner  and  %^eech-making,  you  know, 
and  all  that,  there's  to  be  a  ball  in  the  great  entrance  hall, 
among  the  old  chaps  in  armor,  and  the  antlers,  and  battle-axes, 
and  boomerangs,  and  things.  A  ball,  kosanna — a  real  out  and- 
out  BAi  L,"  retieated  Polly,  with  owl-like  solemnity,  and 
largest  capitals. 

"  But,  PoWy,  you* re  not  the  tenantry,  nor  the  tradespeoi 
retorted  Rosanna,  who,  having  not  an  atom  of  pride  for  heisel 
bad  yet  heaps  for  Polly.     "  You're  |  young  lady,  and—  ' 

"  Fiddle  I  I  bog  your  pardon,  Rosanna,  but  I'm  not  a  younf 
lady.  I'm  Duke  Ma.Hon  the  scene-painter's  |HX)r  relatioo. 
biought  up  out  of  charity,  and  nothing  else.  A  ycNing  lady,  tc 
my  mind,  is  a  |>erson  like — like  Miss  Hautton,  now,  who  nevei 
lOi^ted  a  muffin,  nor  washfd  ud  the  tea-things  in  her  lif?.  I 
«na«  what  1  am — 1  wish  I  was  a  lady,  but  I'm  not.  And  Vm 
going  to  the  dinner  and  th<r  ball,  Rosanna,  and  as  it's  my  first 
ball,  1  intend  to  dance  with  everylMxly  who  asks  me.  If  one 
can't  be  rich  and  aristocratic  th'*iir.elves,  it's  .fileasant  to  mix 
with  people  that  »*■€,  and  the  Uulies  and  gentlemen  are  going 
tv  daiKTirith  tlr;  ccnrnmoh  henCaiMl  be  aociable  four  odcc,  m  I 
way." 


:),i^'i!^: 


i 


MPTMR  i^^rmraMMf  rBJMM. 


se« 


irbo 


im    V 


POlI|ra  ffrtmmar  might  1m^  a^tcufe.  bat  )im   . 
daw.     Slie  was  foing  to^e  Mtll,  and  voufi^'Uie  to 
would  itbp  her.  '  > 

,"  Well,  Polly,  if  yoo  insist— but  tniad,  I  don'*  '•**-ie  it— "^ 

*' Of  course  ^-011  don't,  Rosanna;  you  nevci  uo  like  Ain  and 

4^iriic,  and  we're  all  wonns,  ain't  we?.    Rut  I  m  going  thotigt^. 

■M  please  hun  y  up  and  iron  my  new  mubiin   dress,  for  I  prym 

bed  to  call  for  Alice  at  four  o'clock.     And  oh,  Rosanna  I  fi^h« 

iliQiirs  f  perhaps  l.ord  Montalien  himself  may  a<k  me  to  dance." 

"Stuff  arnl  nonsense,  child  I  lx)rd  Montalien  is  sixty  sevef. 
years  old,  and  has  the  gout.  A  pretty  figure  an  old  smiier  like 
that  would  cut,  danciig  with  a  chit  Uke  you.  Have  the  (jualit) 
come  down  f  " 

"Came  this  moming — Lord  Montalien  and  his  two  son^ 
Mr.  Francis  and  Mr.  (tuy.  Sir  Vane  and  Ka^ly  C'hartcris,  and 
their  daughter.  Miss  Mvid  ChaiKsria,  and  a  Miss  Itiana  Haut- 
ton.  Su  Vane  and  Mirs  Duma  tKZ  both  «econd  cousins  of  my 
lord."  .  * 

folly  pronounced  tfavie  great  names  wiih  an  unction  good 
to  hear.  '' 

"There's  a  Mr.  Allan-Fane,  too,  an  artist,  Mrs.  Hamper  told 
me,  who  is  said  to  be  paying  attention  to  the  rich  'Ktiss  Haut 
ton,  and  all  the  gevtry  in  tne  nei^nborhood  are  to  be  ther* 
to-day." 

"  I  should  think,"  said  Rosaraia,  getting  the  muslin  robe 
ready  for  the  iron,  "  Ix>rd  Montalien  would  nave  m^de  all  lii 
to-dn  wh*n  his  eldest  son  and  iMir  came  of  age,  instead  of  this 
younger  one." 

"  Mr.  Gr.y  is  his  favorite— everybody  knows  it  "Mrs.  Ham- 
per toid  me  tlie  story.  Lord  Montalien,"  said  PoPy,  intensel) 
interested  in  her  theme,  "  was  married  twice — 1  heard  aP  itx>ut 
U  in  the  [r-erage,  up  at  the  Pnory.  1 1  is  first  wife  waf>  rich,  and 
otain,  and  ten  yekrs  older  than  my  lord,  and  a  match  cf  hia 
fadter's  choosing.  Ixjrd  Montalien  was  m  love  with  somebody 
die,  but  ho  yielded  to  his  father  and  marrieii  the  nch  and  ugly 
MiHi  Iluntiagdon,  and  hated  her  like  poison." 

"Pollv!" 

'  Well,  I  don't  know,  of  course-^1  should  think  he  did— %/ 
^routd  in  his'  p'ace  I  Put,  fortunately,  she  died  two  years  after 
let  marriage,  le.-iving  Mr.  Francis,  and  there  was  his  lordship 
jee  ag^iL  Of  cinuse  he  miiucdiately  returned  tu  ms  first  love, 
^Hto  ItaJian  lady,  iiiA  oh,  sunn  a  bN^uty  T  Her  picture's  up  tbert 
Hb  her  boudoir,  and  M}.  ljr«y  la  ker  son.     She  died  before  • 


.iSt-Sa-M , 


AfrMtt  fOOBTMMM  fBAMS. 


neat  wlifit  tM,  and  LclU  jMimtilien  hai  Wsen  a  iMt  •<  >■» 
fyld  More  Carew  ever  nace,  Tan^ertng  ahsot  like  Naaii^i  dove. 
iMl  fitM&ig  na  rest  for  ^  Mrfe  01  his  Mot. 

"PoUv— don't  beinlverentin    ^  > 

'^  And  so  you  tee,  Roaanna,"  p^inued  KoQjr,  p(iyin|  no  attcn 
tkm,  "  if  ■  clear  etkough  how  Mr.  Gujr  comet  td  be  hia  fiaronte. 
Uf  I  looks  like  hii  miother,  w%iQi  his  Cather  loved»  and  Mr. 
Fraincis  looks  hkeAii  mother,  wh^i  his  (atfier  detested.  Thaf  i 
togic,  isn't  it?  Mr.  Francia  >/ yenr  nell-lbokini;,  yon  kiMnr. 
bat  Mr.  Guy— oh,  Rosann^l    Mr.  Guy's  an  AmoblI" 

With  which  Polly  bounced  away  before  Itoaanaa'a  shocked 
exclamation  had  time  to  be  uttered  ' 

'*  Make  my  dreu  nic«  and  stil^  Rosanaa,"  she.  mauled,  6v« 
her  shoulder  ;  **  don't  Sf^e  starch,  pleaae.  I  moat  go  and  teO 
Duke." 

She  ran  up  stairs,  tfarele  at  a  time,  like  a  boy,  aad  whistling  as 
ihc  went,  as  few  boys  whistle.  It  was  one  of  the  dreagfbl 
habits  she  had  contractejd,  of  ^vhic^  Roaanna  could  qever  break 
her,  and  which  half  broike  hiv  ^**^  She  impetuously  flung 
open  a  door  uptaira  aojd  ifihed-ni  upon  Duke  like  the  god 
dess  or  Hebe.  I 

It  was  a  room  big  aol  baie,  and  altogether  very  much  likf 
that  other  painting-niNm^  at  p  Half  Moon  Terrace.  The  **  Bat- 
tle oi  Bamiockbum,'^  biased  heie  in  the  annahine,  aa  iMiad  done 
for  the  past  sixteen  j^ea^  a  tiiie  dioiiaeff  and  dustier  perh^»s 
with  time.  ^   i 

Duke  himself  was  nnchangad— the  same  pale-b&^f  hair — pale- 
buff  complexion,  mild,  li^ue  eyea,  and  paint-danbttii,  shabby  coat 
To  say  that  Duke  idolijBed  Pc^— ^  farkht,  laughing,  joyous 
fidry,  who  glorified  thejtf  l^ilwim  hotis^old  by  her  radiant 
presence  and  ringing  T«|>ice^iV(nUd  har«Uk  be  doing  him  iustice 
He  was  her  abject  uave.  Sie  twisted  fun  round  her  little  fit. 
ger.  I%e  tyrannized  Wer  hiin,  and  tormented  and  adihir&i 
him  after  die  &shi«n  df  a  wfmKti^  yoonger  sister.  Sie  made 
him  teach  her  howie  pafat,  tv  wlu^  to  iww  a  beat,  to  fire  a 
gun,  to  rou|^-ride  thS  pouiea.  ta  pUy  tfie  fiddle,  and  to  suig 
tomic  songs.  She  ha^  a  beautifU  voice,  a  clear,  aweet,  vibta 
img  contndta,  and  khew  everythii^  from  Kathleen  Mavoameen 
to  Jim  Crow.  She  sapg  in  a  chcnr  m  one  of  tiie  chnrchea,  and 
on  one  occasion,  at  a  Speckhav^  tea-party,  only  »hree  uondM 
^b^ne^^ad  n«uV«enriftottG.AiC  into  fits  by  givira  tibea  ""rtr 
ught  before  lomry  w«s  Vetched"  iHien  soflcited  lor  a  amag. 
Tke  awkeace.  wha  h#d  exnecteti  •  £ver  of  Thee,"  or  "  Beaui^ 


r 


\,  1~aA^^  ^f,  Vt^' 


y^ 


■'•S&y 


^  • 


fir  ..jjjt- 


M  3lM,"  Mt  ipeU  bonnd  fcr  an  fastant,  and  then  foUoved  b 
I    the  roar  which  Duke  led.     Evei^ing '^  Polly  did,  or  nid,  op 
dMa|[ht,  was  good  and  admirable  in  Mr.  Mason's  sight 

"Have  you  heard  the  qeirs,  Duk«??"  the  ymipg  lady  de- 
■MUided ;  '*aboui  the  dinner  at  thetPriory,  I  m«an  r* 

M  Yea,"  Mr.  Mason  placidly  answered,'  he  bad  heard  bo»» 
ffi?****®"*'*'  *****  hadn't^ paid  much  attention.  Ixirds  anJ 
ladies  and  theu-  jinketiitg  didn't  greatly  trouble  his  repo«e. 
^  "  Well,  I'm  going,  Doke  ;  and  as  it  is  my  iirit  ball,  I  ahoiiki 
li)lnk  you  might  take  a  little  interest  in  it,,  and^not  go  on  paint 
hf  there  b  that  unfeeling  way." 

"A  person  may  paint  and  not  be  unfeeling.  D^t  be  c&- 
reasonable,  Polly  I  So  you're  going  to  make  your  d^but.  are 
f  OD  }    What  does  Rosannajuiv  ?  " 

HRosannadoesi^'t  believe  m  balls,  and  thinks  dani^g  the 
high  road  to—  "  Pblly  pointed  downward.  "  But  she's  ironina 
my  ^ss  to  |o^  all  ^  same." 

Duke  looked  at  her  admiringly.  "*  ^ 

"  What  a  devei  Uttle  thing  yon  are,  Polly.  I  wish  I  could 
manage  her  hke  that  They  sav  the  Iron  Duke  was  a  courage- 
0U8  man,"  tlM  scoie-painter  said,  rather  irrelevantly.  «•  I  think 
he  and  Rosaima  must  have  been  made  for  each  other,  and  that 
he  missed  h<jr  somehow.  And  so  you  are  going  to  the  baH. 
Polly?    Have  the  great  folks  all  come  down,  then ?  ' 

"Yes,  all ;  T-ord  Montalien  and  lus  sons,  Mr.  AJJan  Fane 
Miss  Dian^  Haatton,  and  Sir  Vane  and  Lady  Cbmwis,  and 
:  tbeir  dau^ter,  Miss  Maud."  > 

Duke  Mason  wiw  very  caiefolly  putting  a  streak  of  pArple 
mto  the  horizon  of  his'ikitch,  but  the  brush  sudd^ly  dropped 
from  his  fingers  and  stNWe<4  the  opal-gray  sky,  in  an  unsightly 

"Sir  VTan^  and  Lady  Charteris  I"  he  repeated  the  names 
looking  at  her  blankly ;  "  Sir  Vane  and  Lady  CharteHs  I " 

For  fourteen  yean  he  had  not  heard  those  iuunes,  and  now 
to  bear  thein  from  >k<r  lips  (  ^  ««  mm 

''Certainly  1  Good  gradooa,  how  yoa  stare,  Ehike  I  K«a 
don't  know  Sir  Vane  and  La<fy  Chav«ariB,  do  yoo  f" 

Mr  Maaon  drew  a  long  braatfa  ait«  looked  at  hia  disfiguied 
■KClcn. 

"There's  an  awkward  aocMiwt,  amf  Pve  spent  ai  the  morb- 

fa|  giw  tfaia.     No^  I  don't  kiMwr  Sir  Vane  and  i^Ciwrtwi^,_ 

wWlaaes  towid  fiumliar,  somehoiK  %  And  they'U  be  at  th« 

••■»  ""y'    Bat  of  course  yott  4llwiu  tee  nothing  of  tfiem.*' 


K 


/ 


"OT'OOWie  wewin,  diqagh,"  cried' l^iMMuoa  vitli  ipiritj 

'  "ihe  fentleoden  are  to  dance  with  as  girU .  Mrs.  Hamper  tola 
1^  M^  and  the  Udiet  With  Lord  Montalien'i  tenants.  They 
are^^oing  t*  be  fradous  and  cqndescendinf ,  and  inix  With  tliie 
common  peopte,for  onte.  Oh  Duke  1  "the  girl  cned.  with  sod 
,deii  passion,  "  why  Wasn't  I  bom  a  lady,  or  why  wasfi't  I  bom 
JB  Bonw  land  where  the  poor  man  is  the  equalof  the  rich  nunik 
b  spite  of  Fortune's  caprices  ?  " 

**  lliere  is  no  sach  country,  IVivthess."  '   ^ 

>,*'J  wis|i  I^  h^  ^en  bom  in  America,"  Polly  went  on,  haf 
Mat  eyes  flasfun^ ;  "there's  eooalify^there,  where  a  newsboy  a;! 
ten  may  be  President  at  thi!^^y.e— ^u  tne'eqaal^,.of  Kinga.^ 
But  if  s  no  use  talking— I'm  only  Polly  Vaaon,  and  rU  neref 
be  anything  efse."       '  ,*-^^ 

*'  Unless  some  poor  fellow  in  a  moment  of  madness  should 

k  one  day  marry  you,  Duchess." 

Miss  Masqn  lookicd  up,  the  shadow  clearing  away,  and  ha 
smile  at  its  brightest.  ^     ; 

**  Duke,  snp{M>se — it  isn't  tfltely,  jtm  know,  of  coarse — dial 
one  of  these  young  gentlemen  ahould  fall  in  lore  with  mt.  Jane 
Eyre  wasn't  pretty,  and  jee  ]pw  she  noarried  Mr.  Rochester. 
Not  that  1  think  it  was  any  great  thi|ig  to  marry  a  blind,  mid- 
dle-aged gentlemaif  with  only  one  hai|d,  and  homely  as  sin. 
Duke,  that  Guy  Rarlscourt  issplendid— f/ilmilu/.  His  picture 
hangs  in  one  of  the  drawing-rooma4-such  a  picfure,  am)  sochc 
drawing-room.  He  is  handsomer  than  TiOrd  flyr9n  himself 
and  I'm  in  love  with  him  already.     I  say,  Duae,  you  mi||ht  call 

.  for  me  after  tlfeatre-titne-^the  ball  won't  break  up  until  roid- 
Dii(ht  By-by,  When  1^  dressed  I'll  txune  in  and  you  ^hall  see 
howJlook."  ;  V 

She  ran  out  of  the  room,  and  down  the  stairs,  and  Duke  «as 
alone;^  The  sunshine  streamed  on  his  spoiled  picture,  and  ha 
itood  staring  vacantly  at  it,  his  bmsh  poised,  and  his  thoughts 
A  hundred  miles  away.  It  had  come  at  last  then — what  he  had 
dieaded  so  often,  and  Lady  Charteris  waj  alive,  and  here,  and 
^this  very  day  would  stand  &ce>to  face  with  her  daughter.     She 

«^had  never  once  written — ^n'o  letter  t^qxa  hear  had  ever  reached 
Half  Moon  Terrace,  and  peyhaps  she  was  eartkss,  and 
proud,  and  had  lost  all  interest  in  the  child  she  bad  given  to  a 
strangfer.  Would  she  recognize  Polly?  she  t^ad  her  father's 
eyes  and  trick  of  manner— 4would  she  recognizt-^^t  ?  would  the 
namesIriSe  hermeniory,-or-wasthe  man  to  whom^he^^  hra- 
confided  her  baby  daughter  forgoti-entoo  MVbukl  this  ineet-. 
injr  of  to-day  end  in^  Polly's  being  taken  from  them  or-+-" 


ing  of  to-day 


~'    9 


-^    * 


t 


■i^ 


;^i*i!^ji%;fei41« , 


100 


S^TMM  FOUKTEMN   rEAKt. 


g^  thoughts.    To  low  "the  Duchess  1"     lSiJm«1 

"WiUIdo,Duke?^^^^^^^^ 

SomeduBf  rose  JB  Duke's  throat  and  n^,  choked  m^ 

Why,  Duke  I    Dear  old  Duke.  don'i^Dir  want  m.  ♦«       i 
I  nevet  knew  it-whv  did.'tW8a^^r7?ife?  i?*»i?**' 
thmca.  and  sit  h«e  ^t\.^Z  lif!?    W'^   *^"  ***«  ©^  Acse 
ftP^h^w  J?  nere  wiUi  foa  all  the  altovoon." 

^  He  held  the  hand,  that  w^  have  iui^j  the  rose,  oat  of  hei 
"  No,  Duchess,  g»  t»  the  ball,  aMi  enio?  vowself— »>h  r^ 

stayed—"  swMay.     Bat  if  jr**  would  rather  I 

"I  had  rather  y»aire«ldgo_iMi^eB't  I  said  «»?    Th-^i 

Aort^l£i'';Ji!';7*"l"^*^  «<«  the  white  dr«»  and  the 
rTrl  J^^  *^"  ""^  P"^  «>«•  ▼anished  down  the  ^t^^ 
and  Duke  went  back  t0  his  work.    "™"*"  •*^  **  i*'**'^)'. 


k.-/ 


|i.'.m£  ^^"^Ik 


ad  i*  ,.^i^*3 


>-*"^S*i*'-.         (-■% 


jir  mam-AUMN  »Knmr. 


'•S 


CHAPTEA   I] 


4T  MONTAU«N   PMORT. 


* 


IT  was  precisely  half-past  three,  bjr  the  parlor  clock, 
when  Miss  Polly  Mason  started  forth  to  enjoy  herself 
The  white  muslin  dress  had  been  starched  to  the  propr* 
degree  of  stiffness,  her  kid  boots  were  quite  new,  sh- 
had  brushed  up  her'chain  and  locket  until  they  flashed  again, 
and  altogether  the  jroung  lady's  state  of  mind  can  be  described 
in  two  words — perfect  beatitucjA  The  high  road  was  dusty, 
but  the  white  muslin  was  short,  2Rd  she  skuted  daintily  along 
♦Jie  narrow  green  fringe  of  grass  by  the  roadside.  The  sun 
shone  in  the  sky  as  blue  as  that  of  Italy,  the  grasshoppers 
'iurped  about  her,  and  every  person  she  passed  gave  the  girl  a 
wniling  good-day,  and  an  admiring  glance.  He  would  have 
been  a  churl,  indeed,  who  could  have  helped  admiring  her — the 
fresh  girlish  face  was  so  brightly  pretty,  so  joyously  happy,  that 
it  was  a  pleasure  only  to  look  at  her. 

All  her  dreams  were  about  to  be  realized— ihe  was.to  behold 
in  the  actual  flesh  those  splendid  beings  <rf'  that  upper  world,  ^ 
of  whom  she  had  read  so  often — splendid,  brilliant,  beautiful, 
mcked  beings,  who  peppered  their  conversation  so  copiously 
with  French  phrases,  who  dwelt  in  halls  of  dazzling  light,  and 
who  lived  in  perpetual  new  silk  dresses  auod  diamonds.  Tlirice 
tiappy  mortals  for  whom  existence  was  one  long  round  of  shop- 
ping, dressing,  dancing,  driving,  operas,  theatres,  court  balls, 
and  presentations,  who  never  darned  woollen  hose  on  long 
winter  evenings,  nor  washed  greasy  dinner  dishes,  nor  fetched 
batter  and  molasses  from  the  grocer's.  She  was  to  see  them 
■t  last,  as  she  had  hitherto  only  seen  them  in  booka,  and  in  her 
dreams. 

Polly  had  read  considerable— light  literature  diiefly,  and  a 
flieat  deal  of  poetry.    &e  knew  aU  about  the  Corsair,  and 
Manfred,  and  the  Giaour,  and  Lara,  and  the  other  gentlemea 
of  that  ilk— «he  could  spout  whole  stanzas  of  "  Childe  Harold," 
Md   inflict    copious    extracu    of   the    '*  Revolt    of   Islam ' 
jgWB^yott  if  you  would  listen.    She  had  cried  her  pretty  Mua- 
jrw  red  as  ferrets  over  the  "  Scottish  Chiefs"  and  the  "Chfl 
«ru  4rf  tbe  Abbey,"  and  "  Fatherless  Fannv,"  in  her  earlm 
««•«  aad  OMK  l«tely  over  bewitiliil  •*  Ethel  Newoome,"  and 


L  >-'«i^iittlai)i!-.vC^^tti£. 


..\ 


'•4 


AT  MQNTAURN  PM/OKY. 


I!       I' 


I;  ;i 


L^lfHSi^  M^'  T  ^*«»««'y  ronuntk.  Oh,  to  be  th. 
Udy  Helen  Mar,  and  to  dress  as  a  page,  and  Kek  ou.  ^ 
fodJike  hero  m  his  prison,  to  have  hin.*^S5  C  £r.rm  ^ 

mSn  ?•        «  hers,  promiscuous,  aj^  Mrs.  Gamp  wouid  mV 
jpon  hu.  coffin     That  would   be  bUss  I     But   L  wm  ^* 

««»  to  wait  upon,  and  whom  the  haberdashei's  vounK  aiMMW 
L«rd  Mortimers  were  not  for  her.  ^  «»**-*.«  ana 

PoUy  had  read  x»ther  thi^s  than  novels ;  she  had  astonished 
h«r  t«Mchers  by  her  aptitude  for  mastering  mall^madcs  Shf 
Uked  htttoor  and  was  weU  up  in  all  the  su^^^ZI-a  \^ 

T^  SSIftS^w^     ^""^  Monarch,  a  Marie  Antoinette. 

.  tau^h«;  tn^        l^cing-inaster  of  Speckhaven,  who  had 

HS,  %i    ^  '?"'  *.  ^^'  ^  *»«>  t»"«ht  her  to  speak 

trench.     She  could  pUy  the  violin  beautifuUyf  though  shT^ 

He^dev^  li«?JS:r  r^.^  *^^i^  '•°''*  *  ^^'^'     she  wS 
ner  toKlay,  and  her  tS'wIi'targl^hTxAc^In^^ 

t«r2?*  ?L****'  ?°^  ***  *^«  «^t  entrance  gates,  PoUv  en- 

"Yes,  PoUy,"  a   voice  from  as   open  window  M»*r^ 
"  WW  a  rtioment  untU  I  find  my  parasoL^  ^^  *Mwcrad, 

irilS*  *''«,«'i^t  °^  ^**«''  ^'^n*  Ae  bailifi;  and  Matfaew 

wofidan  e.     She  came  out  of  the  voie-wreathed  doorway  now-- 
pwmr  Ahce  Warren,  two  years  PoUy-s  senior,  resSc^i; 

^^^.  S^f^iS?  "*lfi7  "^^"»  ^  her'richC^U 
ABCTcyre  people  who  cailgrf  Alice  *" 


•iftw«atniktootlun.andpd%foriruunu««r  SSTSS 


^'i 


i^^^M^^iAsta  ,A&.-JI!S!ii^ii^MMmh^^^i 


AT  MotrTAumn  Fttnttt. 


io» 


|oar  voy  Ideal  of  a  nude  beauty — phimp — rosv'^-dinqpl'd — a 
ikia  nulk  idute  and  rose  pink — ^i^te  teedi,  U^t-blne  eyes 
and  abamlant,  nut-brown  tresses. 

" How  nice  your  white  muslin  makes  up!"  Misi  Warren  te 
marked,  with  an  admiring  glance.  "Bosanna's  such  a  Isnn 
diess.  Oh  Polly  ! "  with  a  sudden  change  of  tone,  "  Fve  gD< 
•Dch  a  secret  to  tell  you  1  Guess  who  came  home  with  dm 
from  Speckhaven  last  night  ?  " 

"  Peter  Jenldns,"  Polly  hazarded 

Peter  Jenkins  was  a  miller;  zsA  a  rery  worthy  young  man, 
iHk)  had  been  "  keepmg  company"  with  Miss  Wanen  dnring 
liie  past  twelve  months. 

"  Peter  Jenkins ! "  retorted  the  baiUfTs  pretty  daughter,  with 
iHtat,  in  a  heroine,  would  have  been  a  tone  of  ine&ble  acorn. 
"No,  bdeed  I     Polly,  youil  never  tell,  now  will  you ?" 

Polly  protested. 

"Welt  then,  it  was  Mr.  Francis  Earlscourt,  the  HtnorablA 
Fracds  Earlscourt ! "  said  Miss  Warren,  her  yfbsAit  face  one 
|^k>lr  of  triumph. 

"Alice I  Mr.  Fraadal  Bat  I  dMMg^t  they  only  came 
down  this  raoraing." 

"  He  came  last  night,  and  it  was  ahnost  dark,  you  know, 
Polly ;  ktarlight,  and  that,  and  I  was  all  alone,  and  he  came  up 
to  me  and  spok«,  and  I  knew  him  at  once,  and  he  remembered 
me  too,  thouj^  he  hasn't  seen  om  for  four  years.  And,  Polly, 
he  offered  me  his  arm,  and  I  wac  afraid  to  refuse,  and  afraid  to 
take  it,  and  he  talked  all  die  way,  and  1  declare  I  hadn't  a 
«ord  to  say." 

"  What  did  he  talk  about?  Did  he  talk  like  Clive  Newcom* 
or  Ivanhoe,  and  oh,  Alice,  is  he  handsome  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  n^hat  he  talked  about — mv  neartwas  in  my 
mouth,  I  tell  you,  Polly,  r  He  said  it  was  a  beantiftd  evening 
and  that  he  liked  the  country,  and  he  told  me  I  had  grown  tiS 
and — and  prettier  than  ever,"  said  ^Vlice,  blushing.  "  And  1 
dunk  hi|m  handsome ;  he's  tall  and  thin,  and  wears  a  nwwtache ; 
and  has  the  softest  voice  and  hands,  and — " 

" Head,  perhaps ! "  said  Polly  irreverently.  "I  wirii  /  wU 
been  in  your  place,  Fd  have  talked  to  him,  and  if  my  heart  gol 
into  my  mouth,  I'd  have  swallowed  it  i  You'll  intrpdu4e^lQ  t« 
MB,  won't  you,  Alice  ?  I  should  like  him  to  ask  me  ta  dance. ' 
~**<Mii  I'm  sure  rdonf  know,"  responded  Al;ce,  wiilr«"wt^ 


t. 


dm  cocding  of  manner  and  a  sudden  recollection  that  •«»« 
ftople  tiMMfht  Polly  Mason  quite  as  good-kidkiBg  ••  fcas—tf 


is*^^i6j^iiif«rkii**M. 


u^^^lUit  -J&kH^i^  I. 


,.i%iia£A    ^ 


106 


^T  MOMTAuiif  ^jumtr. 


^denng  m  «arch  of  same  one-«,me  one  wiWiTe  d«uS 


Hi,*- 


*,. 


AT  MOirtAUEN  Htiokt, 


Itff 


.  v/ 


tenantrjr,  fium  Uboren,  lenranti  and  tradeipeople,  with  jtlMir 
irives,  sweethearts,  and  children.  A|id  ovcai  all  waring  tf«e% 
and  sonny,  serene  sky.  '       /, 

"  Look  I  look«  Polly  1 "  exclaimed  Alice,  breathlenly ;  "  4ieK« 
c<»aie  the  gentlefolks  now." 

Polly  lifted  her  dreamy  eyea.  Something  in  the  goUn 
beaiity  of  the  scene  stirred  her  heart  with  a  feeling  akin  to  pain. 
She  looked  up  at  the  terrace  to  which  her  friend  pointed,  and 
saw  a  group  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  looking  down  at  the  ani- 
mated scene  below.  "  Oh,  Polly ! "  breathlessly ;  "  I  wondet 
if  he  will  see  us !     Look  I  he  is  coming  down." 

A  uU  young  man,  in  a  high  hat,  dress  coat,  and  white  waist- 
coat, ran  down  the  terrace  stairs.  Two  long  tables  were  spread 
under  the  shadow  of  the  trees,  laden  with  substamtial  viands, 
and  at  the  hea  J  of  one  of  ihese  he  took  his  place.  A  moment 
later,  and  a  second  young  man  separated  himself  from  that 
group  on  the  terrace,  and  descended  the  stairs,  and  took  his 
place  at  the  head  of  the  second  table. 

"Ifs  Mr.  Guy,"  whispered  Alice.  "Shall  we  go  over, 
Polly?    They— he, hasn't  seen  ui." 

Polly  looked  at  Guy  Earlscourt  as  oe  came  down  through  the 
blaze  of  sunshine,  and  for  years  and  years  after  the  splendid 
image  she  saw  then  haunted  her  with  remorseful  pain.  She 
saw  the  handsomest  man  she  had  ever  seen  in  her  life — ^youth, 
rather,  for  was  not  this  his  twenty-!irst  birthday  ?  He  was  tall, 
like  his  brother — like  his  brother,  he  wore  a  mustache,  as  be- 
came a  newly-fledged  guardsman,  and  a  certain  air,  as  he 
moved,  struck  ^a^  as  similar,  fieyoiid  that  there  wa*  no  re- 
semblance. Francis  Earlscourt  was  fair,  with  pale-gray  eyes, 
and  light-brown  hair,  full,  rather  laige  mouth,  and  a  pale,  re- 
treating forehead.  Guy  Earlscourt  still  wore  his  loose  velvet 
morning  cc«t — ^perhaps  he  knew  nothing  could  harmonize 
better  with  the  Rembrandt  tints  of  his  clear  olive  complexion, 
and  large,  la^  brown  eyes — eyes  that  had  a  golden  hght  and 
a  dreamy  smile  in  them.  A  straw  hat  was  thrown  carelessly 
•n  his  black  curls,  a  slender  ^chain  of  yellow  gold  glimmeitd 
tcross  his  waistcoat,  and  Polly  clasped  her  hands  as  she  looked. 

"  How  handsome  i     How  handsome ! "  she  said.     "  Hand- 
Mmer  even   than  the  picture  iur  thed  crimson  drawing-room. 
Ahce,  there's  no  oBnuparing  thWfrHMr.  Qyy  it,»  tiimiMai^ 
tinet  die  handsomer  of  the  twa"'       ^ 

"TMt*t  difcr,"  Alice  sud;  "J  ioo't  thillk  •©.  Hwf'f 
Mmt— ilwQ  we  fo  and  get  a  place?" 


«/ti(i:^«.  * 


* 


.-*: 


l1 


J] 


If*  rll! 


h  .11 


to! 


AT  itOffTAUBN  PMrOMT. 


ter!w>  *?•  w^!!I*"L*^"u""  fi^  '^o  are  the  bifie*  ap  on  tkc 
temce?  ri  knoir  who  they  arc,  of  courie.  but  I  don't  fa^ 

.'S^^"?"'"'^.  ^'  ""^^  ^' "  ^^  Maid  ch^:;?..!;^ 

«i!JTJ'\'^T*^'''  '"  *^  P'"''  '^'^'^  »  W"»  Maud  Cbaiteik- 
«ud  the  bailij  coming  up,  "  and  that  small,  dark  lady.  wiSS. 
for  hau  and  Wack  dress,  is  her  mamma.  The  taRm  Zm 
Udy  IS  Miss  Diana  Hautton,  the  gentleman  beside  hir  Hf? 

iSSeS'S^^ir^Wn^^JK'?'-'"^*^  r"»  gentleman  wiS  bllik 
whiskera  18  Su-  Vane  Chartens— and  the  tall,  elderly  eentleman 
with  white  hair  is  my  lord  himselC  Now  you  iifll  Hot 
wamtto  g«;t  a  seat,  come  along."  ^       ^^      ^°" 

.f  "^*  'k'^J''*''".'  ^^r,**"  ^augi^ter's  intense  delight,  to  the  ubie 
?Lr^**  '^'*°*^"  Earlscburt  presided.  That  Seman'sY^ 
iSle^ alSllllsh"^^  °^  ''^^  -«^^«-  at^ t'^TAS 

story  o  begin  w,th,f  thought  Polly.)  "  Here's  a  seat-l  in^t 
upon  it_you  shall  sit  here' and  heVm«  Jo  tJ^e  honors." 

mirinX^f^*  P^*"  ^°'-  ^^'  ^^'^^  ^^°""  ^''•"g  al'nosi  as  ad- 
wh^^  ^  1      r  /=°TP!°''*"-     ^"^  ^*^^«  *"  °o  "'om  for  Polly 
who  declared  she  hadn't  come  to  eal  and  drink,  and  S 
hungry  and  would  wait.     The  bailiff  left  her  ;  he  had  a  tiio^ 
sanJ  things  ^o  do,  and  Miss  Mason,  leaning  LiW  a  ^Z' 

tt^;r'"*;r ,  *'  '^^^  *^^^*='  ^^^S^^ed  the  ^pfe  onT 
terrace  with  longing,  dreamy  eyes.  She  did  noVknow  what  J 
pretty  picture  she  made  standing  there,  the  slanSng  sCZhtl,; 

u '  ^**  a  pretty  giii  I  what  a  vary  striking  face ! »  cxdainiei. 

rf r^.^  '  ''w'^'^  ^*'  ^*^y  ^^"»«"'^  yon<l«.     Like  o^ 
I*  Gieuzc's  blue-eyed,  dimpled  beauties."  --c  on* 

Mr  ,^llan  Fane  should  have  known  better,  certainly,  acnw 

g-eience  of  another,  and  that  other  Miss  Diana  Hautton      But 
Awwas  only  a  peasant-child-a  pretty  model,  perhap"  ncth^ 


["• 


Miss  Diana  looked  rather  disdainfiiUy.     She  was  a  talL  ven 
•wl    She  had  three  thoannd  a  yev  ui  WoWn  right.  V^ 


Ar. 


At  M6iftAUt»  MtJOtir. 


!«• 


tfK  befft  blood  in  Rngland  in  her  veins,  hut  her  haii  km  get 
ting  thin  at  the  parting,  and  she  was  not — well,  sae  was  «#/  ar 
voung  as  she  had  been  ten  years  ago,  when  first  presented  bjr 
ho-  kinswoman,  the  Duchess  of  Clanronald.  ^  Ten  yeais  luui 
gone  by,  and  the  Honorable  Diana  was  Miss  Hauttpn  still, 
•nd  the  attentions  of  Mr.  Allan  Fane  had  been  de<fdedii 
BMrked  lately,  and  now  he  stood  here,  and  his  eyei  light w 
inth  the  artist's  fire  a&  he  looked  at  a  wretched  little  peasant 
gill  as  they  never  aghted  while  gazing  on  her. 

"  You  see  her,  Miss  Hautton  ?  Look  at  those  delicate 
perfectly  chiselled  features — look  at  the  noble  poise  of  thai 
head— -quite  regal,  by  Jove  1  look  at  the  exquisite  curve  of  thai 
slender  throat — look  at  that  taper  foot,  curved  f|pc4t  like  ar 
Andalusian's  I  And  such  blue  eyes !  I  have  jseen  their  like 
b  Italy  sometimes,  and  nowhere  else.  Gad  t  what  a  model 
for  Hebe  she  would  make  I "  y^ 

The  man  seldom  got  excited  ;  the  artist  sometimer  suffered 
his  feelinss  to  carry  him  away.,  Miss  Hautton  raised  her  eye 
glass,  and  shot  a  glance  of  cruel  scorn  across  at  Polly. 

"  I  see  a  dowdy,  village-school  girl,  in  a  white  frock,  and 
nair  cropped  like  a  boy's.  I  confess  I  never  could  see  god 
desses  in  sunburnt,  red-cheeked  dairy-maids." 

Miss  Hautton  dropped  her  glass,  and  walked  over  to  hei 
cousin,  Lord  Montalien.  Lord  Montalien,  with  a  few  more 
crows' -feet  imder  his  e;yes — a  little  grayer,  a  little  more  bored 
by  life  and  people— odierwise  unaltered  since  fourteen  yeari 
ago,  fdien  he  stood  on  the  deck  of  the  "  Land  of  Columbia," 
and  talked  to  Robert  Hawksley.  "^ 

Mr.  Fane  saw  his  mistake,  and  knew  his  duty  was  to  follow 
and  appease  the  Honorable  Diana.  But  t^e  Hon.  Diana 
«ras  eight  years  his  senior,  and  saHow  of  complexion^  and  ex- 
iting as  to  temper,  and  in  spite  of  her  blue  blood,  and  hei 
ttao-ee  diousand  a  year,  apt  to  pall  sometimes  on  the  frivoloui 
mind  of  a  beauty- w(wshipp:ng  painter  of  four-and-twenty." 
^ah(tin||  on  die  terrace  there,  Mr.  Fane  looked  and  admired, 
nd  fell  in  love  with  Polly  on  the  spot 

A  band  plu:ed  suddenly  on  his  own  awoke  him  from  hu 
tnnce — a  cold  hand  that  made  him  starts  and  looking  up  hji 
law  Lady  Charteris. 

*' Who  is  that  girl  ?"  she  asked. 

iFom*cctt~^  yeaw  nafl  ooncMicu  work  on  Oliyiai  Lady  Chai'*'^ 
The  daik  face  Duke  Mason  had  thought  so  beantiftil  i« 
(bcttght  that  MMrh  night  so  kwf  afov  waa  won 


1/1 


^k^i^": 


f-A^W*"*-  1 


tto 


AT  MOtfTALIBN  MtlOk^. 


I'lf  I 


ll  .^'l;; 


annatnrally  lanre^h^r    ^  T     ,^^,  ^""^  *^y«»  '«>k«!  alnoM 

*at  came^iid^J  we%  ^^^^3.'""?^  *«=«.  «d  the  «SS 

Her  «,„™^  d^"*^^f1Sc^:dLf  ^^  n«***  •"  •"«'' 
•    wed  her  paUor  now.  K^^nao^ne,  with  gold  leaves,  height 

"  Lady  Charteris  looks  like  a  Der«in  wK«  i. 
People  were  accuston.^  »«  .     J^        '^"°  *"**  seen  trouble." 

Enable  c^S  bTihe  SJ  °^  'I?'  *"?  ''^*^"  '^^"d^ed  w£. 
-^  enough  knoS^  bit  wh^t  of  ST^^S^i.*?'^"^  **» '^ 
K>ve  their  husban^^are  noft  rl^n/  ^•^*'''  '^  ^«»'» 
W*  open  scandal  nor  the  iJw-  ?  '  ^  ,f  Jong  as  there  is 
what  does  a  litt'.e  Z^  S^S.      ""''  "^  f  ^  ''^^^  requisition, 

Sir  Vane  and  Srh,S^^"^"*''«"'^y' 
litest  and  mo«  aml^fe  fer^^7£.  k""""^^'  ^^"-^  ^'^  *<^  Po 
an  public  occasS^'Ssf^em'S  '^'^^'^ 

out  the  ^Z^r^^k^^^S^'-;^  ^  ^r  y«-«  blotted 
band  she  had  loved  S^dio^^^^S^^^^^^  ^^^^^  bus- 
bad  given  to  stiangVw?  Her  nfo  S^^^'u*"'  *?''*^'  ^bom  she 
dark   eyes   kept   ftfricret  w5f     1 '"'^u''^  '^^'  ber  cold, 

leaning  idly  against  a  ro^  w^SflS    •if"^.'^-     ^be  had  been 

when  Allan  Fane's  words  «.«»   k  ?  .     *  •'"*>'  *^^"e  below, 
chestnut-tree.     She  mw  a  ^L        ^^°*'*^  wandering  to  the  . 
profile  turned  towLd Ter    '  h"!^'  ^"'^  '»  ''bite   muSin,  hci 

*nri  he.  heart  tXrhaS'^L"":  rnt^o^  ^^''^"^  """'^ 

Ce  one  sudden  lean  TKo*  J  P^,  '°^  ^  '"any  years. 
^  she  seen  tSem  £efo^'  IJ!^."  '  ''^^  attitude  I  ^ihe,^ 
tbe  question,  and  SrnS  Sint  S^  d^r^ '^^'^  •"  ^*»*^  ^^''^d 
lert   she  started  ud   S*1  kl,  T  I^^  '°''  "  "^^Unt     The 

-"IttkcdthT^estion!^  "^^  "'^    ^  y°""«  artist-^ 

*'  ^^^  is  diat  girl  ? ' 

^^^z^zz^r^.^  ^.^  ^  ^-«d 

««y  lady  like  a  blow  va^SjS.     -^^  J^  *,^**  «"  *«  beart  •< 
wsemblance  to  that  ot^  &r.^   ^Jl^*  ^^  "°w  bore  no 

«  Whorls  that  girl  ?••  sjS  '  ^!E!/°'  ^'^^  *««>  ye*«. 


thiog.    sS» 


MT  MOittMMti  MUOkV. 


Ill 


d  noir— her  Hpt  were  apart— 4ier  eye*  imfpd  fartentiy 
Hm  fyrt  duldUi  free  that  iboiie  Uke  a  iter  wider  tiM  cbeM 


Mr.  Fane  did  not  know,  would  aioertab,  if  het  ladjnhip  lieh 
the  «lighteit  interest  in  the  matter.  He  was  a  languid  yowtf 
nan,  with  a  delicate  pale  fiu%,  and  ilender,  n^te  hands,  wtixt. 
■nd  softer  a  good  deal  dian  Polly's. 

'*  Of  coarse  yon  don't  know,"  L4idy  Chaiteris  said,  as  if  to 
herselC  **  Inquire  ?  No,  thanks ;  it  is  not  worth  while.  It  b  a' 
striking  style  of  prettiness  for  a  fiumer's  dau|^ter — that  is  alL" 

Her  lisdess  manner  returned — her  interest  in  the  girl  seemed" 
tofiule.    Not  so  llr.  Panels;  he  ran  down  the  steps  to  inquire 
on  his  own  accooiit 

**If  I  coi^  1^  her  to  sit  to  me  for  my  Rosamond,"  he 
kooght,  '*Miss  Hantton  would  do  for  Eleanor.     It  is  a  strik 
dig  style  of  beauty  for  a  fiumer's  daughter,  as  her  ladyship  says 


From  iHiat 
under  which 
KigMvfed, 
profile,  and 
had  ten 
quarter  ftat 
quite  alone? 

Mr.  Fane 
be  introduced 
MathewWi 
sore. 

**  I  say,  my 
all  these 


wat< 
highly 
I  &ui 
thoosana  a  year, 


chieftam  <^ '  ^e  derive  that  arched  instef 

might  now  f  bova  what  ^e  of  *  highly  wed, 

Mred '  aristocrats  did  she  inherit  that  Grecian 

imperial  poise  of  the  j^acefnl  head  ?     If  she 

a  year,  instead  of  the  Hon.  Diana,  or  haU|  or 

I  go  no  and  address  her ;  she  seems 


I't  aware  whetb^  or  no  it  were  necessary  to 
thb  class  of  yopng  persons ;  still  he  beckoned 
over  to  him,  simd  signified  his  gracious  plea- 

fdlow,  you're  the  bailiff  I  believe,  and  know 
of  coarse.^    Who^s  that  pretty  giri  over  there? 


Introduce 

Mr.  Allan  Fane  was  a  clever  young  man,  who  had  made  hii 
mark  in  the/  arademy,'and  he  qwke  with  a  languid  drawl  of 


highlifi^ 

high. 

Bond 


Hei^as 


certainly  I 
The  He 


sits  so/gracefolly  on  strong  young  men,  six  feet 
the  diird  son  of  John  Fane,  Merchant  Tailor, 
London,  iriiQ  #jm^  son  of— well  I  suppose  the 
St  moat  have  had  agrandiather  in  reality,  but  he 
none  to  speak  o£ 
lie  Diana  Hautton  wanted  a  husband,  no  doubt, 
and  Allan  /Fane  was  good-looking,  and  elegant,  beyond  doub^ 
bnt  if  she  nad  been  aware  at  this  di^acefU  fiict,  (of  whidi  we 
'  die^^«adermc<mfidence,)he^  would  have  bow 
to  tbe  rliht  ahoat.  within  the  hour. .   Diana  Hautum,  fint 
^,^.  _,        pees,  iarrf  the  son  of  | 

C 


i3,  .  It  K'jWBasJ.H,. 'v 


t 


m 


Aeir  graves  At  the  detecration^    h!  k  ^^  '^^  ***^°'  « 
last  winter's  picture  had  li*^n  .  -  ""**  °^  •»"'».  f«'  m 

•^rtlr.    And  b«,  ™  rSLIJP^'  ?'r"«  *™'«lvM  «. 
Wh.ppenrb."^;^:S/fc  "^  ■».  duKd.  .ad  h.w 

wiOM  until  the  dandiM  h<»«r«S         *'  *"  'J<»"«— weU 

■«  with  thi  4m  ,pSS?J  "         *•'"  WMon,  mu  you  honoi. 

Honor  him  I    Honor  Aim  /     i>«ii    i  -  i_    . 
langJung  «  her.  buT^^^'JL  S  a°^j!^^°  **^  ^  "^^^  -«^c 
Miss  Mason  woold  be  verv  innrhTS!  ^  a      T   *''""*'«^     Ye?, 

Soing  to  ask  you  to  ke^^'Sf^hrro Jnd  ^f  ^"^^"^"e-^      . 
fenov^you  dance  like  a  f^ry  Miss  Mason     T"'  '"^  °^^  ^    ^ 
Do  you  know  we  were  wonderina- 1^  ^  *"'^"  ^'^^^ys  telL 

terrace-you  loorjo  me^^^  sl^^ci^^  '^""'^  ^'  "P  on  the 

*Qe  beeches  ;  it  s  pleasampr  th-.Ji  T*     J-      .     *  *""»  under 


««"*-  Who  ddg«i,',?iSfe  "U'i:^^c5^  •• 


^'iisA^i^iiS^ik- 


'••*■ 


AT  MONTAUEtr  WKmtk  T. 


V, 


tiS 


CMght  tfiat  glance,  a^d  again  the  Oaxp  pang  of  reaemblanca 
HDOte  her  to  thi;  heartX^  ) 

Ohi  whowaithisgirlP^^ulditbe — >  Her  face  olancbed 
tp  a  gray,  chalky  pidlor,  a  sudden  wfld  thou^t  croaied  her 
brain.  Could  it  be  ?  She  would  be^about  tiie  age  of  this  gH, 
ttoir— ^^us  girl  so  like — yet  unlike  the  only  ralm  she  had  ever 
Iwed.  Other  eyes  saw  them  as  they  paired  <^  I<ord  Mo» 
lalien  pat  up  his  gla&s — Sir  Vane  Charteris  glanced  .at  Miaa 
Hautton  with  a  covert  sneer. 

"Doosid  pretty  girl— eh,  my  lord?  Fane's  inflammable 
heart  has  struck  fire  again.  We'll  see  no  more  oi  him  for  the 
rest  oC«the  afternoon." 

Diana  Hautton's  proud  eyes  flashed.  "She  sauntered  past 
Lady  Charteris  with  a  tired  air  and  a  suppress^  yawn./' 

•'  How  stupid  it  is !  Groups  of  peasants  arl  very  pretty  in 
cabinet  pictures,  drtSTWatteaUt  but  m  real  life — ^well  I  fiud  it  a 
bore.  I  I  Khali  go  to  my  room  and  finish  my  novel" 

The^st  gay  strains  of  the  brass  band  reached  Miss  Haut- 
ton's aristocratic  ears  as  she  sauntered  up  to  her  room,  and  her 
recreant  lover  was  standing  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  quadrilles, 
his  rather  Ustless  countenance  more  animated  than  she  had 
ever  seen  it  He  wasn't  m  love,  of  course  ;  he  was  only  tempo- 
rarily fascinated  by  a  pretty  &ce,  but  it  was  siuk  a  pret^  fiic^ 
and  the  sapphi^^e  eyes  flashed  back  the  sunlight  so  joyoudYi  and 
the  girUsh  lai^h  rang  out  so  clear  and  si^eet,  diat  somedung  of 
her  glad  abandon  of  spirit  seemed  to  infect  him. 

And  how  she  danced  1  The  Hon.  Diaqa  freighted  with  hei;|; 
ten  seasons'  experience  might  have  gpne  to  school  and  learned 
of  Her.  Little  Mons.  Dudos  undersbod  his^siness,  and  dm 
.grace  was  a!l  inborn  aAd  the^l's  o^  Sh(!f  'tossed  back  her 
short  crop  of  boyish  curls,  sheds^ced,  she  ta&ed,  she  lau^^ed, 
^e  AiSrted  without  knowing  it,  and  felt  as  ^^Ic^  she  stood  on 
UT  ih^ead  <rf  velvet  sward.  What  if  Alice  had  Mr.  grands,  and 
Eliza  Mr.  Guy,  neither  of  them  could  dance  or  talk  half  as  wdl 
IS  .he  could.  Tliis  was  life,  and  she  was  in  love  with-  Mr. 
Mian  Fane.  She  felt  he  was  her  destiny  I  Next  to  a  hero,  a 
poet»  a  William  WaUace,  at  a  Lord  Ityn^  her  dream  had  been 
sf  ail  artist  with  long  hair  amA  mclancn«^  eyes,  and  lo  i  here 
ke  was  by  her  side,  paying  her  cotiqihmenta,  and  asking  lier  to 
ftt  to  lum  fior  his  fair  Rosamond. 

"I  say  G«iy,"  Francis  Earlsconrt  observed  to  hfs  hrodwr, 
~  fSK  a  langK  sriien  the  qoadriue  eiid«l--«he  brodien  kfr  ihdi: 
sad  chanced  to  inert-  -**have  fon  noiioe^  ^  ficvpf 


'  '■;■•*■ 


:tti'^|.^i«^l^t4*^». 


rl« 


>»-  


*»l  mvselt  liTi  «°'"«  »■>  anywhere/  Ti,!!?^*'"^ 

walti  with  •  i„~Jr*  . , '  ••V*  pnote  Latak»         i    .    "^'^ 


m    • 


-"ane  to  have  thin«  atf  h^„^  '^^•. **»  !*« 


\i 


'  c".  ,>i*^\ 


--*/■ 


.y 


Mr*ma, 


/ 


-«V|«»  the  deace  briiifs  ymt  herer    You  needli't  troahk 

JwrjNetf  t.  «,  h.  F*.,e,V  obmred  Guy,  with  ^^S^^^AvZ 

lJh.tapceA^«t  •?««u«Uy  on  him ;  «  your  (kcTiTh  ^ 

wi^gh.     Dote't  It,  Miw  Maaon  ?    Miu  Mmob  m4 

id  fnendi,  or  ought  to  be,  which  amounts  to  the  mom 

A*'f.n         ■*^"**".V^  ^"^  my  portrait  for  the  paat  tM 
Ae  tell,  me, ana  reaUy,  my  dear  fellow,  you  can'teM 

ri^n^t^    i!^  ^  l^iwed  mte  unlimited  da^cej/tti  Hm 
to  going  to  waltz  with  me  in  two  rainutet.  ^ 

"  Rad»  promiset  are  much  better  broken  than  kept    T» 
la-la— our  wait*,  Miss  PoUy  I "  ui«  .epi.     in 

He  whirled  her  ofllaia  the  last  thing  PoUy  saw  was  the  a. 
noved  face  of  the  artist  7 -"w  wm  me  a« 

iJj'LlS!!  '^**'*^  '^^  "^P*"''-     ™»  was  OKatemenL' 
Wo  gentlemen—gentlemen  actually  quarreUing-about  her  a< 

S^rJ     «S^  '  K^*"SS*rf  ^^  "^  ^^  how  bSutiiblly  he 
*""<*U,.She  hoped  Ehia  Long  was  looking,  and  dvii  d 

"^^Tx  ^  "^  ^  °"^  calledTn'n^JSfo?: 
"Why  wasn't  Duke  here,  and  Rosanna,  and  why  hadn't  she 

^n  born  m  a  sphere  whpre  Allan  Fanes  and  Guy^EarlsccsS! 

were  eveiyday  occurrences.     If  she  had  only  been  Miss  jSud 

.    S,^rJ?r*  •J^^"**'-  daughter,  and  ime  day,  per^ 

V.  this  splendid  guardsman  wooldfidl  in  love  with  her,  ^5^^^*^ 

,       The  walte  ended  all  too  soon.    And  "  J  never  regretted  die 

dose  of  a  dance  »>efore."  whispered  Mr.  Earlscom^^^^ 
.>  i^TtS'lL       ^  ^^"'^  brought  her  refreshments,  and 

l^V^l  ^  '^  Z^**"*  "P  «^  Mr-  Phuids,  requestSi  Wf 
brother  to.  present  him,  with  his  suave  smile.  ^^ 

Ae«>tiUon,  and  led  her  forth  ahnost  directly.     Alice  wiS 

•tail     P"^J  blue  eyes  were  flashing  wiST&umph  and  d2 

TOieefcs  hnmin.  '*^^^e^Wiihtke  goldeuTayidh- 


^^^  ,        ■■"-"■"■  '"-^p  *«^     wiui  me  golden ^ 

•e  setong  sun  upo«  her  she  looked  positively  daaslinfr     Tw. 


V 


f 


h  u'l 


'S 


tie 


x1 


n> 


than  ever  with  en»v  ^  M.  vl^  *^?"  ??»*"«  «f«n«t 
•gteeable  to  h^  Z^  „  J™"'  T^"?  hmwlf  generall, 
tSe  to  devortHfe      ^T",'  *«--,«'!»^  lord,  had  ni 

friend  out  The  z«t  ^L^c/^-,,"*  u  '"'*""8  *»  *="*  ^s  bosom 
with  her.  and  Aenlo^d^"  o  L:t' ^%^'^  ^^^ 
^  upon  the  terLe  P^:^^i5*  ^SiS^  *"'°''^  * 
there  to  witiiess  her  triumDh  IfVh^  j"  Sp«:kha*en  were 
Lady  Charterii  was  waSa  h.,  I  J^  **"'y  ''"«*"  how 
would  have  CSer^LtS*  Zt^rT^VJ^"^-  ^'^^  *""'»Ph 
lower  world  P^UM^d'oS  knol^'^l"?^  '"  T  ?'  *" 
went  down  in  a  red  and  ^ wl^?  L^ '  -  5  PJ*»*="t"y  *«  sun 
aflush.     Swinair.7u      u  *?    .°  g'ory.^and  the  whole  sky  wan 

llieytalk.liS^£r^S±l?i?i^^.^^««^^       What  did 


♦  y 


-.wi       ^* 


^    ,  'miUltaj.^A&^^i 


AT  MOttTAURU  fAlOMY. 


Uf 


.1 


'•iv4.«^>£i;i^k^^ 


h»  book*,  of  the  opera,  of  the  dieatres,  of  poets  who  had 
gtin-ed  hei  very  heart,  of  authors  at  whose  feet   she  could 
almost  have  fallen  and  worshipped.     He  talked  to  her  as  he 
rarely  talked ;  it  astonished  even  himself.     But  such  a  listener 
--surely  Polly  at  that  moment  might  have  inspired  a  fai  stu 
pider  man.     How  pretty  she  was  I  how  pretty  I  how  pretty  f 
And  he  must  marry  the  Honorable  Diana,  with  her  three  tho« 
land  per  assjm,  her  crows  -feet,  her  sallow  sicin,  and  her  thirty 
two  years!    The  next  moment  he  could  have  laughed  at  hii» 
self  for  his  foUyT-bewitched  by  two  blue  eyes  and  the  face  of  a 
handsome  peasant  child. 

"  Some  men — lucky  fellows  with  ten  thousand  a  year,  and  a 
name  centuries  old— might  afford  this  sort  of  thing  "  (this  sort 
of  thing  meaning  marriage  with  Miss  Polly  MasOn),  "  but  for 
me,  a  tailor's  son— bah  I  I'm  booked  for  the  Hon.  Diana,  and 
Polly  is  a  delicious  Uttle  (airy  to  help  while  away  a  long  sum 
mer  afternoon." 

The  rosy  sunset  faded,  the  white  June  moon  rose  up,  and 
the  stars  came  out 

Mr.  Francis  came  up  once  again,  and  asked  her  to  lead  off 
a  contra.dance  with  him. ' 

Where  Was  the  voura^man  from  the  grocer's,  and  the  othei 
voung  man  from  the  haberdasher's,  tunv  I  Annihaated  I  They 
had  not  once  ventured  to  approach  her  that  afternoon. 

Miss  Long  sneered  as  she  went  by. 

Polly  laughed  in  her  happy  triumph. 

**  What  I  sitting  out  still,  Lixa  ?  "  Miss  Mason  said  superbly 
'  How  stupid  it  must  be  I ," 
'     The  Hon.  Francis  heard,  and  laughed  inwardly. 

"A  countess  or  my  coutui  Di<uia  could  not  have  stabbed 

m0re  surely,"  he  thought     «« What  a  thoroughbred  lirtle  filly 

•^8  1,    ^°*  •"  pretty  as  the  other  one,  but  a  deuced  si^t  c\x<^ 

The  «' other  one"  being  Alice,  whose  plumpness,  and  dim 
.j^ea,  and  Hebe-like  style  suited  him,  and  for  himself  he  rathei 
prefetTsd  women  that  were  im/  clever. 

Mr.  Guy  Earlscourt  detested  dancing,  as  has  been  said,  ob 
prmciplfr  -it  was  so  much  physical  labor  for  very  little  result 
Hf  could  ride  across  Goun|ry  like  a  bird ;  he  could  tbUow  the 
ImwpJ*  all  day,  with  the  wind  and  sleet  in  his  teeth  ;  be  was  ft^ 
lead  shot;  and  long  ago,  at  Eton,  had  been  captain  of  the 
c^t,  and  renowned  as  a  cricketer.  He  was  clever  m  sphe  otf 
hit  Midolcnce ;  spoke  thre*  or  (bur  nraden  languages ;  tisd  • 


^ti^^Jstui&b^iRAt^ , 


r'/i^iv^T^ 


til 


Mt  MtNTAUMH  MUtkf, 


w  fies  in  ladies' , 

»»d  yet  M  unlike  Robert  LmI«?    «k-!«^       •   ^■**'  **  ^« 
light    A  number  tJi  vim»«,._Z^  J^  P  .  *  "*  ™*  moon- 

J-e  enjjrtainiy  *»--     S^^tt^Tt^J^.^ 
down  with  a  curly  King  Charlea  at  herhS.     3^     ^  *?*^ 
^one.  m  of  deeo  iS  painS  ISL^^  2^  ITir** 
Earlscourt  loumnnff  Ufilvun  a/-^!!«: '    bT^      *  "^  ^^ 

•«^y  come,  only  once  in  a  KfeSi.^  ^  *** '^^  "'•^' 
«e  flung  hinuetf  into  an  arai<hair.  and  aradncwl  ks.  -*-- 


■^r 


(•'let  aa  tfaoie  down  there 


L^rClMrtMte 


r 


I- j*AL.^<k%-uli     &     '^  >      ^,^y.^ 


«V'*lt  -Mi    fc^^^^^lL    ..A  '*     ,.  v'    .^1 


&\.Jr"/^C^&'yi1^K>4 


AT  M9ftTAUBN  ^ItiMtY, 


tif 


<  Yet,  my  Udy." 

"Who  is  that  pretty  girl  in  white  I  saw  you  dancing  with 
fkJf  an  hour  ago?    Ah  I  there  she  is  now,  with  Frank — iiir 
bAired,  And  dressed  in  white." 

Guy  turned  his  lazy  brown  e^es  in  the  direction  indicated. 

"Thafs  PoUy,"  he  answered;  «'and  Pony's  as  joUy  as  she  i 
l>retty,  which  is  paying  a  good  deal  That  youiu  person  i« 
vhite — see  how  she  laughs  I— it  does  bne  good  to  kxA  at  het  I 
—is  Miss  Polly  Mason,  my  Lady  Charteris." 

"  Mason  t "  One  slender  wlute  hand  of  the  lady  rested  on 
the  youth's  shoulder.  He  felt  it  close  there  now  with  sudden, 
ipasmodtc  force.     "JI/arMi/" 

There  rose  before  her  at  the  sound  of  the  commonplace 

name  the  vision  of  a  dreary  railway  waiting-room,  a  shivering 

figure  crouching  before  the  fire,  and  a  pale-faced  young  man 

repeating  his  name  and  address,  "  Marmadukt  Mastn,  50  Half- 

^fOH  Terrace."     She  grew  so  white,  so  rigid,  that  Guy  half 

euoved  his  cigar,  and  looked  at  her  in  surprise. 

"  Vy  dear  Lady  Charteris,  you  are  ill  I  Has  the  sradl  <tf  my 
cigar — " 

"Gii>,''  she  interrupted  suddenly,  *'wBl  ym  give  me  yoox 
ami  ?  i  idtould  like  to  go  ^wn  there — Xm — "  Iter  voice  died 
away. 

llie  yomVul  giuirdsman  gave  one  regretftil  si|^  as  he  flung 
his  cherished  «na  newly-lighted  cigar  away,  and  arose.  Some 
men  are  bom  Mr  the  mai'^s  cross  and  palm,  and  he  was  one 
of  them.  Even  Lady  Charteris,  usually  the  roost  silent  and 
quiet  of  creatut^ict,  herself^  was  suddenly  going  in  for  excite- 
ment, and  he  wa»  singled  out  to  be  the  victim  of  hei;^  caprice. 
He  gave  her  his  aiui,  with  one  gentle  glance  of  repvoachfiil  sur- 
prise, quite  thrown  away  upon  her,  as  it  chanced,  and  led  hei 
down  below. 

A  thousand — a  million,  it  seemed — colored  lamps  flickered^ 
•mong  the  trees,  the  band  still  played,  lads  and  lasses  stiH" 
tripped  the  light  fantastic,  and  Gaffers  and  Goodies  sat  on  rus- 
tic benches,  and  contentedly  watched  the  fun.  They  would 
idjoum  to  the  great  domed  entrance  hall  presently,  where  « 
second  feast  awaited  them,  and  at  ten  o^dock  dus  goodly 
company  would  retire,  with  three  cheers,  and  "many  happy  re- 
turns to  Mr.  Guy,  God  bless  him  P' 


?i 


witih  a  son  of  a  neighboring  squire.  Who  had  seen  her  a 
•C  timet  before  and  never  ncHiced  her  uatil  to-nl|^t 


L^LC^JK^iiLV^y- : 


^^. 


E-J--  *-it- 


,.'-.  %, 


120 


^T  MONTAUEN  PRIOR  V, 


Tnd  f.H  K  "^  'V-  P^'"^^  ^'  ^'S^*'3^  ^«  'hough  she  trod  on  air 
ct\  ^t^  j^eenjier  first  dance  instead  of  her  twentv-fim 
Guy  looked  at  her  in  undisguised  admiration     '""""'^-^'^^'^ 

hadn  W  •/  ''T  ^^''^^^^  "•"  h«  njurmured  gently  «•  if  T 
naan  t  seen  It  with  mv  own  *>u<.c  t^^*  ^       ^  s*^'"-'/,     ii  x 

could  possess  the  sTa^yin^po^:  •  otM^^ ^r^"\'TT 
call,  woman  the  weakej  sex  !"  ^ '^  '    ^"^  '^^y 

rcaion*'1.id"S\™^"  approached  from  the  opposite  di- 
shouW^e  concSld      L^d  °"'''^*="  ""^"'^e  polia 

Pleafe  Mr  Bas,'j)1'  "^°"  •^'?"''  ^^'"^  ^'^^  ^^  ^o  soon  . 

Mr    R.!^.?    T'  '  '?'f '  'P^^^  '°  ™y  ^'ousin  Duke  "       ' 

Mr.  Bassfet  released  her,  and  Pollv  all  airlow  h^r  ki 

eyes  shining  like  azure  s.ars  her  lios' TaLhlnl      a     ^^"^^ 

tossing  back  her  short  curls,  r'an'up  t'o  hlm."'"^  ^"'  ^P^"' 

You  haven  t  come  for  me  so  soon,  have  you  Duke  ?    T 

JJuke  !     lowenng  her  voice,  and  her  face  beaming  ••  if  h.. 
been  a  heavenly  afternoon  !"  oeammg,     ,t  has 

I.    'i  T™  R^*'  '"y  ''™^  at  the  theatre.  Pollv  "  Dnki-  c=.iH 
PIT     ,     ,  '/o'"e  for  you  as  early  as  ten.  vou  know  •• 

would  L  his  peTanXlaytttag'S^o^'oi^^S^aT; Jn'^Hr"''^ 

Their  eyes  merand  ilcft'i^^^^^"-^  ivory^_ 
=cffird-Robert  Lisle's  ^^-^^^fS^^^^i^^T^ 

S  iS  'in  '"^r  \"^  '"^"^"^^'  «ood  yondfS aSd  beau.* 
tif ul  in  the  moonlight,  among  Lord  MontaUoi'i  dt^dwu 


'^^^iiii^Jt'^\4&'jtiA 


i.-s^P'-^t  "-      (r*^^ir*"H^  ^  •*■!»■« 


"ALL  NIGHT  Iff  L  YNDITH  GRANGE:'        121 

At  ten  o'clock,  precisely,  the  merry  assembly  broke  up,  and 
departed,  with  ringing  cheers  for  my  lord's  younger  son,  to 
their  humble  homes.  And  Polly  was  driven  home  in  the  tax- 
cart,  of  course  by  Mathew  Warren  !  Was  she  indeed  ?  Alice 
went  in  the  tax-cart,  dutifully,  if  you  like,  and  Eliza  Long  was 
seen  home  by  the  young  man  from  the  haberdasher's  ;  but 
Allan  Fane,  forgetful  of  the  Hon.  Diana,  her  three  thousand  a 
year,  the  gentlefolks  making  merry  in  the  long  drawing-rooms 
— forgetful  of  all  the  hopes  and  ambit  ions  of  his  life,  walked 
home  through  the  blue,  moonlit  night  with  Polly  Mason ! 


CHAPTER  in. 

**ALL  NIGHT   IN   LY«DITH   GRANGE.** 

|HE  nine  o'clock  sunshine  streaming  in  Folly's  win- 
dow, awoke  her  next  morning.  Polly,  as  a  rule, 
was  inclined  to  be  lazy  o'  mornings,  but  brisk 
Rosanna  routed  her  out  without  mercy  at  six. 
To-day,  she  let  her  sleep.  The  child  hadn't  got  home  until 
half-past  eleven — three  miles,  you  know,  on  a  lovely  moon- 
light night,  with  a  handsome  young  man  beside  you,  is  a 
long  walk.  Rosanna  knew  nothing*  of  the  handsj)me 
youngr  man,  she  knew  Inothing  of  the  hours  during 
which  little  Polly  tossed"  on  her  bed,  and  could  not  sleep. 
Sleep  f  The  red,  the  yellow,  the  purple  lights  flashed  be- 
fore her,  the  band  music  clashed  in  heir*  ears,  and  the  faces 
of  Allan  Fane  and- Guy  Earlscourt  swam  in  a  golden  mist. 
Her  breast  was  full  of  delicious  unrest ;  he  wis  coming  to- 
morrow,  and  all  the  to-morrows,  and  this  was  bliss,  this  was 
love.    Poor  little  Polly*1 

"  All  this  glad  tumult  faded  away  in  sleep— she  awoke 
with  a  sort  of  gUilty  start  to  see  the  new  day's  sun- 
shine. She  felt  tired,  and  worn,  and  suddenly  grown  old. 
Yesterday  she  had  been  a  little  girl  running  wild  about 
the  streets  of  Speckhaven,  tearing  her  clothes,  and  tor- 
menting  Rosanna.  She  felt  as  if  all  that  were  over,  as  ijf  a 
giilf  lay  between  t^e  ToUy  of  yesterday  and  the 


Mason"  of  to-day.    Yes,  she  was 
had  called  her  so— she  was  a 


ss 

**  Miss  Mason  ;"  they 
grown-up  young  woman^ 


„AA&V&«£|', 


'Affii-i^  .  fsr '., 


B|*MJ^      -^^ 


■1 


""urt  by  a  leather  stf»n  i  wu  l!^j  *.  "f "®"  round  her  ibin 
Miss  B^d  SS  Ld^L***ffl*  **^  wear  pink  dlk  like 
«t>sy  ribbon.,  Her^  i1,Wa^  her  auburn  lock,  witfc 
the  garish  idomin^  ^--A^  l^T"  "f  P»»«:  th«  eyer  in 
about  her.  ^She^^hI7  pk  i  '  •  t»ce  of  good  looki 
haired  twnbdv^'  .!^  71   ^^^  Long  had  called  her,  "aVed 

worekfpiM   EthelMd   »««!?  t  Newcome  ever  have 

those  ySung  S  hS  JT^  ^?  >*^f  *^  for  Juliet,  i/ 
cn^ui.?^1??4.cSon^^  ^^^  hair  clipped  dos*  to  their 
Probably  *ewoul??:.TwSrh  *°k  ''^Jl?' ''"  °»«^w" 
POiyer,  somehow,  an?  wen  5o^"  S.  v"' '  "^^^  ""^^ »»« 
painting-room,  RownnT  wL  JT*  ^^-^  ''*'  "  ^""^  "»  hi. 
door,  up  tu  hir  e^^nT  5     *  xTn'^  ^"**  «"^"de  the  back 

two  cup.  of  teJr    S'.£  gorht  «i^T  *^T'k*"^.  ^^ 
materials,  and  Drenared  t^JtZ  '^^M^  and  her  drawing 

tog  from  natu/T^  R™^,  .^^r?'^  J^  *«  "hore-skefci- 
tempted.  '^*™"  ^''^"^  "P  from  her  .uds  and  ib- 

U»  for  dimier?     iS'j    Poll?^l,i2Z^  *"^  P*"*^?*^  *« 
•he  abhorred  the  thouSt  of  w«h^    f  "*  t*^"""'^  ""^^^i 
**^^y^th»l^rXTd^u^!^^^^L   ^P  ^^t'^orW  where   j 
rilver  cover.,  ofS™^"?ii  T^^  of  exquisite  dishes  in    ' 
wwds  a.  Sh  Lf^J^r     Si,^!"'  *^'*.^«'«  no  such 
•he  prepared  to  ol^y  im?X„  i?l*  *  "*^'.  •?"*!«»  feelin& 

•««5«*««  fore  w«  TOOK  except  the  c^tolol^ 
^j^^^^^  Blow  a  utti-  life  u^  your  dead  eyes  and  jik 


iNlSSt*'*" 


«d  ;S^i!S  ^^  wwoot^i 

•■  ■««  go  %,  i»wiev«     *- 


%.-. 


.  /) 


mu  mnmr  m  LYttBtrm  smah^e,^ 


m 


OB  Ae  garden  waH,  and  went  wandering  off  itto  a  drtam; 
rereriie.  The  faces  of  yesterday  shone  before  her  in  die  ton 
•hinr— die  darkling  splendid  face  of  Guy  Earlscourt,  with  itf 
brown,  brilliant  eyes,  and  lazy,  beautiful  smile.  The  face  oi 
Allan  Fane,  fair,  womanish,  perhaps,  but  eminently  good-lopk 
in^,  and  «^  Polly  prized  more,  aristocratic.  TaU«  haughti 
Diana  Hautton,  dark,  pensive  Lady  Charteris,  litde  Miss  Maud^ 
irith  her  rose-silk  and  streaming  ribbons.  Such  high-bre^ 
bees  all,  such  lofty,  high-sounding  names.  And  she  was  Polly 
Mason.     Polly  Mason,  hopelessly  vulgar,  and  comipon. 

"  1  suppo^  I  was  christened  Mary,"  the  young  lady  thought 
**  MaiV s  no  great  things,  but  if  s  better  than  Polly." 

And  then  mechanically  she  fell  to  drawing.  The  faxx  thai 
haunted  her  most  was  the  face  her  pend^  drew  almost  without 
volition  of  her  own.  The  pencil  sketch  was  careless  and  crude, 
but  bold  and  fiilLof  power ;  so  absorbed  did  she  become  ovei 
her  work  that  sbe  never  heard  approaching  footsteps,  and  a 
voice  at  her  elbow  suddenly  made  her  jump. 

"A  very  good  likeness,  Miss  Mason,  but  don't  yoii  ^think 
you  have  flattered  %  little— just  a  litde — our  friend  Guy  J^" 

"  Mr.  Fane  I "  Polly  jumped  fr(mi  her  perch,  with  a  gasp,  and 
tried  to  hide  away  her  drawing,  in  overwhelming  conf^j^ 
What  would  he  think  of  b*^  ?  What  could  he  dunk  but  diat 
she  had  had  the  audacity  to  fidl  in  love  with  this  splendid  young' 
guardsman,  who  had  a«ked  her  for  unlimited  dances,  and  tl^en 
<mly  waltzed  with  her  tmce  ?  But  Mr.  Fane  set  her  at  her  ease. 
He  did  feel  a  twinge  of  jealousy— the  sparkling  face  had  pur- 
sued him  in  dreams  all  nv(ht — ^it  was  such  a  rve  &ce — such  ai 
piquant  face.  Pretty  fiu:es  there  were  by  tl«r  «core,  l)t^  onlyl 
one  Polly  Mason.  ^        | 

"  You  promised  to  show  use  the  seaside  cave,  where  yowand 
Miss  Alice  Warren  used  to  play  Robinson  Cnuo#  and  Man 
Friday,"  he  said,  **  and  I  have  come  to  claim  yovu-  promise! 
And  dus  very  afternoon.  Miss  PoU^,  I  mean  to  drive  vou  up^ 
die  Priory,  and  have  our  <irst  «ttiiig  for  the  fiiir  Rosansond^ 
Miss  Hautton  has  been  ai»o  kind  enough  to  pose  for  nn 
Owen  Eleanor."  / 

"I  tiiink  Queen  Eleanor  must  have  look^  like  that,"  pn- 
swered  Polly,  remembering  the  hMighty  glances  Miss  Hau^on 
Ittd  caat  upon  ho-  humble  self  yesterday.  «She  stems  as 
iMWgn  abe  could  gi#e  anval  that  pleasant  choice  belweeu  ilu 
poiaoB  bowl  and  the  dagger  any  day.  No  thank  yon,  Mr 
FiM^  1  won't  take  your  arm ;  people  don't  do  dial  'in  Speck 
'        ••  ^  ilappad  and  Unshed. 


/ 


'\ 


;\ 


V^' 


134  '^^LL  MIGMT  Hi  jLrMD/m  CJtM^M,* 

"UnIeMir»ut,MiM  Mm«»    UhIcm  they  are  ««»p^  J. 
that  what  yoo  meu  ?    I  lee  it  i.      akTm  «!a.       ««H«1-  -«• 

■uch  happuMn."  .   ^^  ^"  mmoo,  mold  be  Ht 

down  his  pre4r  witfi  lomethi?.  ^f!?^  *?        generally  hunted 
•BgclK  mouth,  those  lerene  linet  of  (aturebLmTl^S 


n«i 


"If  I  could  onljr  nint  all  thii— thai  »•  of  _u  «..■_. 

It  was  the  first  time  he  had  caOed  her  Pall*  -«^  ^^  ^. 
•ras  going  tolerably  fittt     H«  cSeS  wL  ^'      *l!^  **^ 
suit  RoSnw^  cod^d  die  S^e^n   AeS  ^S°1f?  "^T. 
Fane  puUed  himself  up  withVLI^LH^f^.   "^   T*  ^ 

Z^JLr\         ^J^^^^'^  I  got  her  to  bmur  me  to  th» 
SS^Pr^e^«rL^f  •""*!??  *.  ^'  *»^  *  *  ^^i^" 

TJJ«W  fwKTahae..    He  was  a  good  talker,  a.  talkin. 
•»«aJ*w.ty,«,/,rfofdielast  new  ©pefa,  SwdT 


1 


I 


? 


"ALL  NIGHT  IN  L  YNDITH  GRANGE.' 


i2S 


thii  )rottu| 
ruly  hunted 
'■  inteniit/, 

eyes,  thU 
let  tht'  man 


and  latest  Paris  fashion  ;  and  all  those  topics  were  deliciously 
fresh  and  new  to  Polly. 

Was  this  love  at  first  sight,  Polly  wondered  ;  and  straight- 
way there  arose  before  her  a  bridal  vision— Mr.  Allan  Fane, 
looking  unutterably  patrician,  and  she,  in  floating  white,  with 
a  point-lace  veil  and  orange  blossoms,  and  the  Speckhaven 
church  thronged  with  eager,  envious  lookers-on  ;  and  after 
that,  a  rose-colored  life  of  perpetual  Paris  winters  London  sea- 
sons, and  new  bonnets,  and  jewelry,  and  the  opera,  and  balls 
— Speckhaven  and  wash-days  a  hideous  memory  of  the  past. 

They  went  into  the  sea-side  cave  together,  and  the  artist 
made  a  sketch  of  it  and  the  girl,  with  the  wide  sea  before 
her,  and  the  sunlight  on  her  sweet,  fair  face.  And  then  Miss 
Mason  sang  for  him,  that  he  might  hear  the  echo  sing  along 
the  rocky  roof ;  and  Allan  Fane  wondered  more  and  more. 
Such  a  voice — rare,  sweet,  and  powerful.  She  did  not  sing 
"  Tke  night  before  Larry  was  stretched  ;"  she  sang  the  song 
yoalg  Quintin  Durward  listened  to  in  rapture,  so  many 
years  ago,  in  the  quaint  old  French  town,  and  her  thoughts 
left  Allan  Fane,  and  an  olive  face  shone  before  her,  lit  by 
two  brown  eyes — the  face  of  Lord  Montalien's  favorite  son. 


tiMtikyol 
•ad  yoo, 
ifti  crowB 


■*Ahl  OamtfOml  tkakaw 

Tha  fua  (as  M'tha  Im, 
Tha  waiigr  Ooww  pwfiiaw  tiM  I 

Tka  hraw*  U  on  tka  •••. 
TW  ImIi,  whoM  lay  hM  iriM  aB^. 

Ste  haahMl.  tiM^uVMr  *%h. 

BtwWwhC— ly  0«yf 


U 


•Tfc« 

H«r  )m^%  Mk  M 

T*  bMttto  «hy,  hf  ImIw  Ui^ 

n*fiarorW«a,  ill  mn  ifcin. 

Now  raigu  o'«r  Mrtk  tmk  Ayw 
Ami  hick  aMi  Imt  W*  MoMM  (mk 

itoC«MMyo*rt" 


'Offerer  aniwered  a  voice,  as  the  last  note  died  away:  'if 
fon  mean  «*  /"     And  to  the  incmense  confusion  of  Polly,  aaj 


^  aoomcealed  annoyance  of  Allan  Fane,  Guy   Eariscouit 
ttepptd  round  the  rocky  entrance  into  the  grotta 

"JHJJi*  ^**^  y°^  voice  UL  JlIiertv---^r|ii«Ll    tp   I.in^^  ,ri|fc 

Iraimiif.    ?on  ray  honor,  I  thought  it  might  Ik  Ciice  or  CalyfiM^ 
ortlMir>what-yoa-caU-eiiis,Hrena,vouknow,ortiM  ifflgeasSea,' 
iMBldtai  a  oqooet  \gf  Miatake  on  iKliocoiiulHra  ootat." 


I 


/ 


ij6        •'Mi.  ittGirr  in  Lv/fD/rA  gmangm.^ 

J^  Y^     ^  °°  ^*nf  fr'cftdly  accent.  ••-pnn 

^J^pt  roa  out  »  mjr  dir.  B«e.«q,;   »«l*l,^^5iS 


it   .> 


^lJ*^KW«s•»«Sf  Kp^^ 


:v, 


J 


V 


*»AU.  mawT  m  LmtTm  m 


^^i 


tJf 


1W  two  jroimg  flpfttkinen  said  good4>7  to  P0U7,  taihleA 
bar.  Mr.  Fane  made  no  further  allusion  to4he  sitting  i»  his 
Faifi^PMmond  Oua  afternoon.  Queen  Eleanor  wiihed  him  \m 
drive  her  to  Hieatherholme,  ei^t  mites  olSy  and  dLxjimiwt  ahr 
m«st  take  precedence  in  all  things. 

It  was  almost  one,  and  dinner  was  over  in  the  cottage 
when  PoUV  went  in.  Her  portion  of  die  hash  stood  covered 
for  her  in^e  oven,  and  she  sat  down  to  partake  of  that  refiwsh 
JBcnt  with  an  appetite  four  hours'  old,  and  sharpened  hy  th« 
sea  wind.  One  may  be  in  love,  but  one  must  eat ;  still  she  took 
time  to  i^ick  oat  the  onions — ^never  again  would  she  eat  vulgar 
ipriiw  onions :  that  d^radation  at  least  it  was  in  her  power  to 
avoid. 

<*  Who  is  diat  yonng  sweD  in  the  chimney-pot  hat  and  dandy 
boqts?"  Duke  asked,  when  Poll j  paid  her  aftenloon  visit  to 
his  painting-room.  *'  I  don't  moan  Gay  EarlaoMrt,  jou  un- 
derstand." 

"  The  other  was  Mr.  AUaa  Fa**,"  PoUv  reqwwled,  looking 
out  of  the  window.  .  <*  He's  an  artist,  Dokc,  and  wants  me  to 
sit  to  him  for  Fair  Rosataondr 

"Allan  Fane!  Allan  Fanel"  Duke  repeated,  stroking  the 
red  and  yellow  stubble  <^  his  ckia.  **  I've  heard  that  name 
before,  and  I  have^|een  diat  face  somewhere.  Ifs  a  (ace  I 
don't  like,  Duchess ;  if  ^a  weak,  wonsanish  ^icc,  a  Calae  face, 
or  I'm  greatly %nistaken." 

PoUv  looked  at  him  reproachlUly. 

"Thaffr  not  /ii#  yon,  Dokc,"  she  said;  ^yoa  don't  often 
speak  ill  of  the  absent,  and  of  a  straMV,  too,  whom  you  don't 
know.  Mr.  Fane  was  very,  very  kma  to  me  vestoday,  and — 
and — he  came  home  with  me  last  night  I  didn't  iride  (don't 
be  angry,  Duke),  I  didn't  ride  in  the  tax-cart  He  didn't  let  me 
sit  out  a  single  dance,  and  he  left  the  ladies  at  the  Prioiy  to 
wait  on  me,  and  of  course  I  feel  grateful,  and  all  that" 

Duke  looked  after  her  as  she  walked  out  of  the  room,  with  a 

^«tfttl  light  in  his  eyes,  die  yearning  li|^t  you  see  sometiraea 

Vt  the  «yes  of  a  dc^.     Polly  had  been  under  his  shelter  far 

'wrirek  years — ^was  the  day  i^  hand  when  all  his  love  codd 

hieU  hei  from  danger  no  kmger  ? 

Pnlly  went  through  her  usual  aftemoon's  work  of^  kdping 

ftoaanna  **  redd  np,"  in  a  sute  of  dreamy,  happiness ;    fittle 

^tiila^of  SBog  bubbbm^rhCT  lips,  smflei^io^^  ' 

•Mb  other  ova-  her  nice.    She  was  alwaji  happy,  but  snwshim 

Ihc  san  Mver  shone  so  brii^tly  nor  had  lifc  ever  SMnad  m 


,^-. 


.?*•-"'* 


i|>«;v5 


■wett  u  tKMlft^  RoMan*  looked  at  Wr,  and  congiatuku  V 
hereelf  that  she  had  auUle  her  go  oof  that  ml^rmng.  Aai 
pretently  when  tea  was  o»er,  she  took  her  hat  and  went  to  tke 
»te  to^watch  the  new  moon  dse-^and  wish— what  did  little 
Folljr  wish  ?  It  was  very  quiet  The  new  moon  shining  in  tha 
oi~«ky,  a  nightingale  suigihg  vonder  in  Montalien  woogm,  the 
feoft  flutter  of  the  evei^ng  wind  sweet  from  the  sea ;  the  licfc 
nO»  ti  Rosanna's  rda^s  and  geraniums  in  theope^  winduw^ 

.7^  *  "**"*•  ^°^  '*"*'  *•»*"  »^'hw  **'•  Allan  Faac 
would  have  toW.  her,  had  he  been  there  to  see  the  taU,  slim 
iprl,  with  die  sweet,  happy  Cace,  and  dreamy  eyes  of  blue,  sofUf 
Migi"g  "The  Young  May  Moon."    •  »»      "7 

As  she  stood  there  a  group  of  four  came  up  the  road  from 
the  town.  PoU/s  dreamy  eyes  turned  from  that  silver  sickle 
m  the  purple  sky,  and  brightened  into  a  light  not  sq  pleasant 
„  to  see  as  she^bcheld  hey  arch  dnemy,  Eliza  Long.  Miss  Long 
was.gaUanted  by  the  haberdasher's  clerk,  and  behind  came 
A^  Wairen  and  her  '♦young  man,"  Peter  Jenkins,  of  the 

. "  Here  she  is  herselTt "  exclaimed  Miss  Long,  with  malicious 
♦ivaaty  ;  "I've  just  been  teUing  Samuel  of  ihe  grand  conquests 
y«i  ve  made.     How  are  all  your  friends  at  inf  Priory,  Polly, 

"All  my  friends  at  the  Priory  were  quite  weU  when  I  aw 
ftem  last,  Ehza,"  responded  Miss  Mason,  promptly.     "  I'll  tell  - 
them  you  uquired  the  next  time  I  see  them ;  the/U  feel  flat 
tere<^  particularly  Mr.  Guy,  who    danced  with   you— once, 
wasn  t  It,  Ehza  ?  and  forgot  to  come  back." 

"  I  didn't  encourage  hun  as  much  as  some  people  miriit.' 
retorted  Miss  Long.  «I  don't  beUeve  in  gentlenien  Wn 
danglmg  after  country^ls.  1  should  be  afraid  of  what  people 
might  say  of  me,"  ccmduded  Miss  Long,  with  a  virfuous  toss 
of  ner  bead.  ^  ^- 

•*Then  yon  needn't,  Eliza,  qohody  will  ever  talk  of /w  ia 
••t  way,  I'm  quite  sure.  ^Gentlemen  have  such  bad  taste." 

•tVes,"  said  Elixa.  with  a  hysterical  Uttle  giggle,  "I  thoukhi 
w  myself  when  1  saw  twojof  them  go  by  with  mm.  I  wonda 
RoMuma  isB't  afr^d."        '  •      '         ^^  """^ 

"Afraid  of  what,  Bliza?  PU  thank  you  to  speak  oat" 
rtaft  eyes  were  flashing  now,  as  only  blue  eyes  *a«H 

»« Wt  aU  know  Polly  isn't  afrifld  of  aaything."  cned  .the  ?«■» 
=a^^ftmr the  faaberdi^KePs,  ii^ was  mmtaJ) v  JMloaa.  "3» 
••■Wn't  go  three  miles  out  of  her  way,  as  Jenkiiui  did  ^ 
week,  rather  than  paaa  the  hanmed  Grangs.** 


"Vo,"  WMwer«d  PoUy,  diadainAilly,  ** I  wonld  bol" 

•<  That's  easy  to  uLf,"  Miss  Long  said,  with  a  second  lOMi 

><  if  iL  not  so  easy  to  prove.     Polly's  u  much  of  a  cvwanJ  as  ths 

lest  of  OS.  I  dare  say.  if  the  truth  were  known." 
^^^  Fm  not  a  coward,  and  I'll  thank  you  not  to  say  so.  Bl^a. 

Jm  not  >iiraidof  yon,  or  n^iat  people  may  say,  nor  of  ghostv 

adier,  if  it  comes  to  that."    ^ 
•'Prove  it,"  cried  the  tanntinf  Elixa,  "  prove  it,  if  you  dart, 

fbUy  Mason."  ^^^-^^ 

Miss  Eliza.  Long  nhderstood  her  antagonist  weU^^  lAu^i 
PoUy  to  do  anything — however  mad,  however  foolhardy, 
insure  its  being  done.  Had  she  not  risked  her  life,  only  last 
winter,  one  stormy  day,  when  dared  to  go  out  in  a  boat  to  the 
other  side  of  Speckhaven  Bay?  And  now  into  Polly's  eyes 
leaped  the  light  that  had  shone  in  them  then,  and^her  hands 
clutched  together.  She  looked  her  advers^  straight  in  the  face, 
;],^*.'  You  dare  me  to  wAoT,  Eliza  ?  "' 

'^•«To  pass  a  night  akme  in  the  Grange.     Yoa  are  not  alhud 
of  ghosts  1    Prove  U,  if  you  dare  ?  " 

"  Oh,  Eliza,  hush  I "  cned  Alice  Wairen. 

'<  You  hush,  Alice  I "  PoUy  Mid  very  quietly.  She  was  al- 
ways quiet  when  most  dangerous.  **/wiU  m  i//  I  am  not 
afraid  of  ghosts,  but  if  I  w^  as  sure  as  that  I  am  standing 
here,  I  should  see  the  ghosts  of  the  knight^  and  the  lady,  1 
would  go.  I  will  do  it  this  very  night,  Ehia  Long ;  will  diat 
satisfy  you  I " 

"No, no,  PoUy,"  Alice  cried  again :  and,  " oh,  by  George, 
no,  you  know,"  exclaimed  .die  young  man  from  die  haber. 
da^er's  in  consternation,  while  stolid  Peter  Jenkins  stared 
aghast :  "  Duke  wouldn't  let  ym,  you  know." 

"  I  shall  do  it  t "  Polly  saio,  f<^(fing  her  arms,  and  lodung 
daggers  and  carving-knives  at  her  enemy. 

"Yes^'  said  Miss  Long,  <'and  Duke  need  never  know. 
UTe^re  ah  going  to  a  dance  at  Bridges' ;  that's  only  two  nulet 
from  the  Grange,  and  I'll  tell  l3uke  and  Rosanna  jrou're  cosnmg 
with  u&  We  will  go  with  you  to  the  Grange  and  leave  yon 
tfiere,  and  call  for  you  again  when  the  dance  breaks  up,  at  twe 
O^dock  in  the  OKMrning.  That  is,  of  course,  if  you  really  mean 
to  go,  yon  know.  1  wouldn't,  if  1  were  you,  if  I  felt  the  learn 
•fraid." 


TKeword,  the  tone,  liie  iniblMl  «l«l^  «iihf  |^^ 
■teaat  it  should.     She  opened  the  Ate,  and  came  out  so  iod 
isaly  and  with  such  a  wicked  exp^oun  ^at  Elisa  raooM 


.  ,-H* 


ii^^ii^tMsS'Jii 


h? 


-sC 


<:x^' 


i,»f  -t  i-vteRf^r'jJir  t  p-i-ywij 


^^^•r' 


:!': 


|i 


tj6 


fmn  p  I  vnixfru  6X4j»aa.o 


i.r!r^     ■"?."■  cowird,  UiM  Long,  and  vou  know  W  onA  ^i,^ 
RK«?^i^° 'u^***^**»<*  y^'  but  rU  go  aU  the  same^ 

n  „  **  **'  «•  tf  we  had  murdered  rou,  if—"  *^^  ^^ 

PoUy  stooped  and  kiiKxl  her. 

SS^JTeiTl^ '{"***"  f?  to  deep  a.  comfortably  in  the 

h«  .rs'^nt^r^  '™**  "^  '^'^  "^  •^^'^  •*« 

cn^Nei^r'^H^^r^Kif'**  ^-•"^'^  her  hate,  hel 
pStewShi^^  •*  ^*  *»?  P«  *  night  in  the  Gn^\ 
^L«S.  ?***  ***  ^"^  nm,  had  bSn  found  .tarkX 
S^triS^go.'''"**'^  ever  kb-e  her,  AeSj'aS:^ 

gSL..  SSf  ST  .  /  «»Je.  •>«»  they  would  be  at  the 
G«Bt^  ^  pcay  rattled  on ;  a  ^inmger  Light  havV  Jw.  to 
^  «P  k«  courage,  but  in  reaK?- aS  gWWnilSlii 


wis 


,.','„..  -    r~- ^-Aliaid,  every  nerve  quickeMd  witk  «. 

«J«^t^  longed  10  d^m  thi.'viirfictiv?rivSrf  iSThS 
~™'~" -^  was  to  her  touBifc  ^^r*" 


The  gredt  gates,  the  grim  wall,  looiued  up  before^eio  at  last 
jm)  Alice  suddenl)  flun(^  both  MtM  abmit  her  frieKpS. 

M  Ytftt  shaU  not  go,  Polly— yob  :Lill  not  i  What  will  every 
lody  Hiy,  and  who  knows  what  may  happen  ?  P#ter,  don't  let 
Mw  go— Eliza,  speak  to  her !" 

*' She  may  go  if  she  likes,  for  me,'  said  Peter, boorishly. 

•'Certainly,  Polly,  I  wouldn't  go  if  1  felt  the  lebt  af — — ']^^ 

She  did  not  finish  the  word,  PoUy  ttmied  upon  her  so  swiftiy. 
ind  fiercely.  | 

••  Yo«  had  better  not  I "  she  said.  'VA|ice,  dear,  hold  your 
:ongiie ;  there  is  no  danger.  There  are  no  human  things  there, 
md  I  am  not  kfraid  x>f  t»»c  ghostSb  None  of  yon  need  c«n« 
iny  farther,  if  you  don't  wisiv." 

She  opened  the  gates— they  creaked  and  moved  heavily  on 
their  rusty  hinges,  and  walked  resolutely  in.  Mr.  Jenkiiu  held 
Mck,  but  the  other  tliree  followed  her ;  Alice  still  dingibg  to 
ner,  and  half  sobbing ;  a  Satnoic  gleam  in  ElLta's  greenish 
ayes. 

They  walked  up  ime  aveiroe  hi  dead^  rilence  ;  tha  unearthly 
itiUD«*88  and  gloom  of  the  utace  awed  them.  Polly  spoke,  ai 
•\^  house  came  in  view,  aod  het  voioe  sounded  uneaithly. 

**  How  am  I  tfoiua  to  j|«t  to  r  I'htms's  a  window  1  know  of 
—if  you  can  only  raise  it  fut  uie,  Sam." 

It  was  the  very  window,  near  the  elm-tree,  in  which  Dnkc 
aad  sat  and  stared  that  meuKirable  ni^L  The  ivy  made  an 
earn  ladder  for  Mr.  Samuel,  wto  fai  some  trepidation  moved 
and  shook  the  casement  Wind  and  weather  had  done  theii 
work— the  window  went  crashine  into  the  roonu 

Miss  Mason  tnroed  and  fiaced  Miss  Long  with  the  look  ci 
•  duellist  waiting  to  fire. 

'•  Will  that  room  do,  Eliza,  or  is  tfiere  any  apartment  in  die 
Qouse  more  especially  haunteil  than  another  ?  I  should  like 
to  please  you,  and  it  is  all  the  same  to  me." 

"  Oh,  don't  ask  me,"  said  KUjia,  ahivering  slightly  as  she 
s}K>ke ;  '*  don't  sav  I  want  ;-oo  >^gp ;  1  don'L  1  think  70t»  had 
nuco  hotter  turn  back." 

Polly  laughed  bitterlf  \ 

' '  "l  cnder«t]uid  yoo,  fiUsa  I    If  aoythina  kappeni,  yoa  muei 
lipva  jifor  innocence.     <iood-night,  all;  don^t  fnt,  Alices 
.jfiMuLme." 


&9  seised  tKe  ivy,  and  witfc  vme  light  leoo  woe  tiidil  ^T 
Her  dauritloM  smiling  lace  looked  down  opoo  than 


J 


&flm  thesvindov. 


'  ,  .  .   ^.(ii,it_,i!. 


,«5*.(^f 


f-     S  "*• 


fJ3  ^i^  IfK^JiT m  LYNDITH     RAJ^(m^ 


/•■t 


V  ■  V 


^  Go  I "  ihe  grid ;  «goo4B%lit- 
Come,"  Mid  Wax,  with  anodier  ihnrUiir.  mmAu^  m.t. 
PcHy,  come   backT»c«nw.  fcilVi    Zt^"^/  ""■    "^  ^*|li 

A  g«il  .we  «ole^  h«LC  fc^    *!'  *f^  "".gone 

<«>wiL  her  (ace  in  Hm-  han^.  -^i     -j  i.  *""'°  "T*     one  knelt  . 
^^^^    7  M-w  aaoai,  aaa^uien  cuddled  herself  up  in  the  arm 

lSd^to"SE5^or't£  S^;' "'d'^  ^'°7. '!«"» »>-'  ^'^ 

Ac  wind  or  ^"    afm^  t^K.'t   7***  ****?•  "'*  *°  »»^«' 
•J' Ae"fo^*:3^  ««  "he  l«rt  d»  ««,  cUng  «i, 


rwt 


>'i# »» -s^     ; «,  - 


h 


•i; 


MC*    rO  FACE. 


IS3 


WW  w«,  that  ?    Stircly,  footstepf— hniMii  feotttept    •••H 
itt  haU  outtide,  and  approaching  the  door. 
Yet,  the  handle  tuiTjed,  the  door  creaked  and  opened  I 
the  girl  rose  and  stood  up  by  no  volition  0«J»«  <*^  J~ 
,^ed  staring  straight  at  the  opening  door.     Her  JJMtMd 
\^  to  beat-«he   was  icy  cold  all  over.     Wa.  J»i«  fwl 
She  had  consciousness   enottgh  left    to  wonder.      1  he  ae« 
S:nedwide-there  was  what  seemed  *«»  J^»"yr  ^^ J^"^ 
p^tural  Ikht,  and  in  that  glow  «he  saw  the  fam  of  *  wwnaa 
,  enteiiog,  and  OMning  straight  toward  her. 


'^t 


CHAmcK  nr. 


rAci  to  rAcs. 

IAD    OUvia,    I^y  Charteria,   rrfaHy  giwn    «5^ 
■  heartless  ?    Had  .|he  entirely  forgotten  the  duld  ^ 
had  deserted  fburteen  years  befoce?^Was  she  a  \a 
ing  woman  with  a  heart  of  ftone?    There  were  peo- 
Die  who  said  so,  people  who  said  her  nature  was  *»  cofj  ™ 

?lTle«   as  he;  Vale,  unsmib.^  ^J^^^^"  '''^  T**^ 
lo.=d  neither  husband  nor  chUl    Perhaps  those  people  were 
light  in  that  last  surmise.     Her  estrangement  &«>"»  Sir  Vane 
cLteris  the  whole  world  was^elcome  to  know,  so  bxvk 
(he  was  concerned.    They  d#elt  under  the  •a^%~<f'^ 
wer*  outwardly  dvil  to  each  othpr,  the  husband  indeed  more 
TvS^  dW^  assiduously  polite  and  deferential  to  his  •tatueof  a 
Sfc    but  for  all  that  they  were  to  all  mtents  and  P«rP<»2  •• 
I^Ssiy  suXed  a.  the  ,4le..     It  had  been  «>  ""ce  the  bmj. 
5  tSe  Maud-no  one  knew  the  cause.    They  met  by  ^ 
t^^m  the  .ta«,  or  in  the  pa.«i?es,  ^the  onljr  P«^f«  ^fy^ 
met  alone.)  and  the  lady  iwept  by  with  head  «««*  »n<ijj«2 
IronSy  drooping,  shrinking  back  lest  he  should  touch  the 
X^i  h«  gkrrJints.     When  he  addressed  her  at  the  dinner. 
SiL^^r   J?«wer.  were  always  monosvlUbic.  and  she  never 
io3wd  at  him.     ft  #m  1  cuftous  Itffc^y  waw*^^^t^^ 
M  ctikL  as  tifelMa  to  hin  at  the  Diana  of  the  I»uvre,  WBom 
M  GOMi,  w  -  -     be  with  the    Ted  |low  of  sup 


-'\^ 


.^i  \'^\i^^XA^^ 


i  i 


il 


IM 


»Aea  To^nAcm. 


gJJ^  «4  .-.llteMiot,  ri«»  fa  ft.  Wta,  fcp*.  rf,„ 
One*,  ud  once  only,  \Mi  Chuterii  had  luoken  of,  ik.  _ 

%hr«"Sivt'*e*^e't.i:::*.*if:'t^^       * 
Ss;..T;:rrodS.£j^u^-«££ 

»d  y«i  lee  people  were  more  thS  hatf  rithtT^«Sfl^^  ' 
Chartcn.  .  cold,  unloving  wife  and  mothi**^        ^"«  ^^ 

■nouier  matter.     Her  very  love  for  that  child  had  nude  her  V?v« 

hw*yto.tranger«.o«tofthedtttche.ofherunSe^^^ 

Had  foortee*  yean  steeled  her  heart  theie,4i.  weS?    dSS 


'^■v 


X' 


tACM  TO  wdcm. 


lis 


'■{ 


Tfcef  rtood  fcce  to  face,  there  tinder  the  green  treei  af  tht 
Mik.  »i»d  knew  each  other.  Thus  they  met  again.  Duka 
turned  cold  all  over  as  he  stood  there.  The  hour  dreaded  un- 
itteiably  had  come.  The  mother  had  found  her  child.  Ho 
eyes  spoke  to  him;  they  said  "Stay!"  as  plainly  as  words. 
PoUy  was  whirling  away  m  the  dance  again.  Guy  Eariscomt 
was  w»»tmg  with  weary  resignation  to  be  led  whithersoever  her 
UulysWp  willed.  They  moved  on,  her  dress  brushed  him,  het 
lips  ifhispered  "  Wait^'     They  disappeared  in  the  sUvery  duMc, 

snd  Duke  was  alone.  .  . ,     , , 

He  sat  dowh  on  one  of  the  rustic  seats  and  stared  blankly 
tbout  him.  The  lights,  the  people,  the  music,  all  were  discord 
and  tumult  He  was  overdue  at  the  Speckhaven  Lyteum. 
Wri«t  did  that  signify  ?  Polly's  mothei*  had  found-her  out- 
was  in  all  likelihood,  about  to  take  her  aiwy.  Polly— the  light 
of  their  household— the  joy  of  his  life— who  had  loved,  and 
admired,  and  tormented  him  for  fourteen  happy  years.  Po"y. 
who  toasted  his  muffins,  and  upset  his  paint  pots,  and  made 
fun  of  his  pictures,  and  worked  him  pretty  neckties,  and  went 
sinmng  through  their  humble  home  like  some  fau-  Esmeralda. 

"I  will  never  give  her  up,"  thought  Duke, doggedly,;  "sh« 
has  no  right  to  take  hei  away.  I'U  never  give  the  Duchess  up 
unless— unless 'shp  wants  to  go"— and  at  that  thought  Duke 
broke  down.  Polly  would  go— Polly,  whose  dream  of  life  was 
to  be  "  a  lady  "—who  loved  dress  and  adommenU  with  the  in- 
tense love  of  girlhood— yes,  Polly  would  go- 

The  trees,  the  dancers  swam  before  poor  Duke's  eyea  in  a 
watery  mist.  His  thoughtt  went  back  to  last  winter,  when  the 
smallpox,  that  loathsome  enemy,  had  come  to  Speckhaven. 
Duke  liad  taken  it— Duke  took  everything  it  was  possible  to 
take,  ever  since  when  at  six  months  he  had  had  the  measlcs- 
and  through  dismal  days  and  sickeninsTnightf  PoUy  had  nurwd 
jum,  and  sat  up  with  him,  and  bathed  his  disfigured  fcce  and 
hacd^  and  knew  neither  weariness  nor  disgust  She  had  don* 
Ok  same  for  Alice  Warren,  nursing  her  through  it  m  spite  of 
everybody.  And  she  had  never  taken  it;  ker  perfect  health, 
ha  splendid  vitality,  her  utter  fearlessness  had  saved  her. 

How  brave  she  was  •  What  a  great,  generous  heart  she  pos- 
Miied  1  People  called  her  vain.  Well,  pefhaps  she  waa.  Hei 
rim  ■hft*'^  "'^  *  rharming  face,  and  she  loved  beauty  in  aB 
Sines.  She  might  be  vain  of  that  piquant  face,  but  how 
bnvely  she  had  nsked  its  beauty  for  thow?  she  loved  1  She 
wilfid.  vid  wayward,  and  xeckMm,  and  sonethinf  *  a 

4.      '  ■  .       .'. 


9 


-Aiif'^vf^iMa' 


/i .  . 


tjtf 


i^ACM   ro  PACE. 


.-^> 


J25\^i**  ^"«  *****  ^^^n**'  her;  bat- -God  hU-i  k-l 
God  Ahnwhty  bless  h*r  I "  thouirht  rhik/nfoJf^  5^  "•' 
were  stan Jni?  biir  and  hriahf !«  1  •    v        *!*«»"»  «nd  tne  tean 

The  summer  light  had  faded  entirely  out  of  the  A^  -„^  *i:- 
Lyndith.         ^^  '^  "^"^  *"  *•  «!»  tree,  (br^fci, 

like  a  wan  star.  ^^  °^*'  "®  "**  ^^  foldi 

••Come!  "she  saicl  "come  with  me." 

fcSToul'   Hf  ;;L.^1!!  ;:l^",  "-^  ,I>»ke  .h«id««i  at 

inembered  legends^n  of^lfr*^?'  >"!  ^"^*  *«  he  re- 
les.  mortals  to  Aeir™^  ^  <rater-spmts  bearing  away  ha,v 

W  con^mtt^^     o^^S^ti^  r*::?'.*  '""^der  M«ht  have 
*thwart   the   bTckri^^^  7    fed  lamps  ftckered  luridli 
mournAll  lay  wmewWe  b  1.  .Hr*'""«'i?   P'***^  »^  •'^^^ 
the  brass  ba^'^^tm'an^U'i'rher^ 
hands  around  that  of  hir  ^JlTl;^  "•  ^    .  "*'  clasped  both 

"Sheis"  '        "• 

'  J^  '"Ve  cared  for  Iwr  aU  thote  ven  r    >*.  k.   

A.  IS!1  '^  *  "^'^^  ^^^^'Ofc  him  as  he  8poke~MJ«  P^i     • 
>he  btchen  on  washing,  ironing  and  bxlciW^tl^.  ^^y*  "» 
TOW  Oil  her  oval  ch***/«X«i^       ^T^i^^J^^***^ 


'  ^(^*T^■5*^ 


// 


fAca,  r%  9A€M, 


iSf 


__  the  youg  Uuiy  heraelf  obienred,  with  An  ia^cd  «ir 
75*1  the  couldn't  so  much  as  look  at  a  pot  o»  a  k^t  with 
out  half  the  black  flying  off  and  transfcning  toelf  to  h<*  coon 


doe*  she  think  she  k?"  the  \aA) 


tcnance. 
••Does  she  know— irtjd 

^^She^thinks  she  is  PoUy  Mason,  ian  orphan,  the  duld  of  i 
icounnofmiue.    Thi  thichess^^'t  anotoonof  who  sh* 

\  b<^yoax  paitko,  my  lady,  I  caU  her  the  Dachess,  be 
OBMcXshe  looks  like  one,  not  that  I  lever  was  personally  ac 
«iamt^  with  any  duchess,"   Duke  put  m  parenthetica%. 
"She  doled  herself  PoUy ;  but  I  never  took  kindly  to  Hht 
name  of  My." 

<•  Her  niune  is  Panlina."  .    . 

••Yes,"  rtid  Duke,  forgetting  himielf  for  the  second  <ime. 
"Iknowitk    He  said  sa" 

••Whosaid>o?"  .  ,.    .       ..     J^a% 

The  solemn,  dark  eyes  were  fixe4  «»  ^  ^e»  **»«  friendly 
darkness  hid  th^piilty  red  that  lushed  it  at  the  question* 

••Who  said  so?  who  cqold  know  her  name?"  the  lady  de 

manded,  suspicioudy*  ,    • .  u       u 

••  It  was— it  was  a  sick  nM»n  who  stopped  with  us,  when  sue 
came."  stammered  Duke,  who  never  could  learn  the  iMnnen 
of  good  society,  and  teil  poUte  hea;  "he  suggested  that  ho 
name  might  be  Paulinas"  ^.     .  .  ^» 

••  How  should  he  think  of  it— who  was  this  sick  man  ? 
••  His  name  wis  Hawksley,  my  lady."  «  ^    _w 

Duke's  heart  was  throbbing  against  hi*  rib*,     u  sue  009 

••  If  she  uk*  questions  enough,  she'll  sore^  fad  h  •■t,*  !>» 
thought,  with  an  inward  groan.    "  I  never  cmid  fltaad  pomp. 

Bjic  my  lady's  thouahti  had  drifted  away  to  more  importaal 
^  tfm^s  than  »  A  menby  the  name  of  Hawksley. 

••Why  did  you  leave  London ? "  she  asketl ;  " do  you  knoj 
I  wr  >te  to  the  old  address  twice,  *nd  my  letters  were  returned. 
Ths  last  fell  into  the  hands  of  Sir  Vane,  and  there  wa*  a  scene ; 
iie  twisted  her  ftngers  together  as  though  m  pam :  "and  1 
■ever  dared  trnteapn.   Twould  rather  have  »reu  ay  d«*lm» 


iaad  than  that  he  should  find  her  out 
law  tiM  wawnblinrw,  and  diaoover 


Ohlifheshouklreco(- 


I 


IJt 


fACM   to  PaCM. 


l,'«nf  i!SL°°*  ^^  2**'  "y  ^y"  I>"ke  said  quietlA  «tf  «« 

fasiieri   ..  n     ?  i^t "  *•  J"**"  ^'     You  do  not"  hb  haJ! 
«M|»ed,  as  he  asked  the  questioa.     "You  wfii  ,«»  »»iL  u 
*way,  my  lady?"  '^»««h.        you  wrU  lot  taiie  her 

five  her  up?  '^^^     *^®'"*^ »-  g"e^e  yoi  tr 

T  A^i^  If**'''  ^''^^^^K  o"  *^arth  could  grieve  me  so  rf*. Jl« 

||AiHi  your  mter-TAe  lores  her  too?" 

Ae  w«  ineffably  eta  i„X  d"if^     **"  *'  '°°^«*  "P 

fr«.  herS4S«r     "^        h"-!"'  6o».  the  ™UI_^ 
'*  Hei  enemies — she  has  none." 

nedme.    "IJat  fortuha  •ra,  so  left  me  that  it  fsilstoiri 
™»»wil.  c««e  «to  ,B  i»comc  «f  Bioe  thooiiuMl  «  y«,-lS 


iIlyMasoi^ 

thelreaem- 

►t,"  hte  haji 

>t  taUe  her 


ere  yotf  tv 


lo  deeply 
Jiild,  but  I 
nrare  th«ii 


e. 


lling — the 
aoked  up 

1     "Ob 
vkl — salf 


^lozes^ 


r  <leatb 


* 


^ 


0MCB 


re  rMCM. 


i» 


I 


dMcht^;  will  not  inherit  a  •hflling.  It  Is  well  he  has  MftdMft 
Iw  her.  \  He  is  a  bad,  bold,  mscnipulous  nian,  who  spares 
neitifer  man  nor  woman  in  his  wratn.  I  teU  you  this  because 
ouinowtiow  he  married  me,  while  I  loathed  him,  and  toM 
im  I  joathed  him.  A  man  who  would  stoop  to  sud»i;,Sk  omt. 
^•iag'^  would  stoop  to  anythmg. "  Would- Paanna  oe  sa|e,  tMH 
rott,*rtien,  in  his  power?  We  only  remain  here  a  wc«k,  « 
two;  keep  her  awajr.from  thisj)lace  during  that  tune.  Hj' 
■uspects  me  now ;  smce  our  return  to  England  he  has  watcMO 
»6  as  a  cat  watches  a  mouse.  1  don't  know  what  he  suspccta, 
what  he  fears,  but  it  is  so.  ,  Eren  now  I  may  be  taiissed,  h« 
may  ti  searching  for  me.  Mr.  Mason,  I  think  I  am  ^e  n»o»t 
wretch^  woman  the  wide  earth  holds— I  thmk  my  heart  broke 
sdxteen  Vtears  ago  when  they  told  me  my  darhnjr  was  dead. 
The  only  Creature  in  this  worid  whom  I  lore  is  yonder,  and  1 
dare  not  speak  one  word  to  her,  dare  not  give  her  one  kus  foj 
her  father's  sake."  .        ,  .  uu- 

She  covered  het  face  again,  and  broke  out  into  sobbing- 
wild,  hysterical,  but  suppressed  sobbing.?^  Alas  I  long  years  ol 
pain,  of  surveillance,  had  taught  her,  thajt  even  grief  was  a  lux- 
ury  she  must  not  indulge  in.  j    .  •         la 

.  Duke  had  i^othing  to  say ;  a  woman  crying  made  hun  cold 
and  hot,  by  turns.  He  wasn't  much  i|^d  to  it— Rosanna  was 
superior  to  crying  as  to  all  other  weakness  of  her  wretched  sex, 
and  for  PoU/s  tears,  though  they  made  him  exquisitely  miser- 
able at  the  time,  they  were  speedily  dried.  They  were  gener- 
ally tears  of  rage,  indeed,  not  of  sotow  ;  and  as  she  scolded 
vehemently  aU  the  while  she  wept,  ii  ^u  not  in  the  nature  ol 
things  her  tempeste  could  last  long-^theif  verjr  violence  usad 
them  up.  But  this  was  something  different ;  thirwas  sorrow  oi 
which  the  man  knew  nothing,  and  hie  shrank  away,  wilM«irong 
desire  to  take"  to  his  heels,  and  escape.  Some  intuitioii-tpw 
ner  it  pained  him— shf^drogpc^her  hands,  and  smiled  thr( 

her  tears.  .         ..  ,     « 

"  1  have  no  right  to  distress  you,"  she  said  sweetiy,  yo« 
who  are  my  best,  my  only,  friend— the  only  friend  at  least  wboM 
I  can  trast  with  the  secret  of  my  life.  TeU  me  of  my  diild-- 
n  she  truthful,  is  she  generous,  is  sne  nolj^e-hearted,  is  she  a»oi. 
ible ;  is  she,  in  a  word,  like  her  father  ? "  .      „  ,. 

^Amiable?"     WeHt  Duke^irasp^t  prepared  to  say  that  Poia 


«••  on  all  occasions.  She  had  a  tongue  and  a  temper  bevond 
•  doobt:  •hehadawillofherown.tuopandmideraostpeopla 
^•4  tar.    As^-and  Duke  Maraii's  fKC  Ut  v|h  ««!  hit  eyot 


v 


\ 


^       ^-^^BBffltli.'itiS'v-- :-^aJ    "t'k.'rf*'!^ 


iC       '       '-.!-* 


,  V     \^^ ^/t      J iiU  ^.-t^h^UMt 


I40 


PdCM  TO  FACS: 


f 


- 1. 


knowledge  or|i'?Ut*k^e'S"  °°  ^  SKa'Tt'"  '^ 
"»«  to  gu«,  her  nS?-^  "•-«"••  <i««  •aj"W.  how  he 

u^'.J^JSo'^'^ts'i^r''""  °"^  '"'^ »-  *i. «., 

1 10  at  night  fcecaiue,  wl^ei,  ijD  b«ve  retiie4. 1  «m  (hsp^ 


A.' 


-  i^"' rf-np. w-««^^  •• 


he  pfetontf 

It,  the  haad. 

Gtcat  Brit. 

:;odi     Ani 

>r  20  maay 

e  comes  ia> 

a." 

aojr  rewai4 

ot  be  worth 

ou  a  paltry 
nthout  the 
t  he  wouM 

self  for  tke 
has  sevMi 

•teris,  with 
and  gives 

ike,  readjr 
retty  mess 
nly  a  veiy 
to  Poll/a 
present  of 
ear.  He 
s  how  he 

this  veiy 


hen,  aud 
Minllone 
Vddrew 
!  to-mor- 
d.  as  she 
:ntureto 
!  always 
the  car. 
^hfmeet 


rw 


I  ft«P»w 


i 


-  % 
^JtCM  to  fSCM.       «- 


t4« 


0^^  HmetL  And  I  go  for  something  I  left  iMSpk  ^  me  in  my 
f^t  fourteen  ^ears  ago — ah,  you  remeniber  that  night }  My 
husband's  miniature — my  lost  husband's — Sir  Vane  Chanerii 
19  only  that  in  name — some  letters — tnnkets — the  few  presents 
'he  ever  gave  me^  They  are  dearer  to  me  thaii  anything  in  the 
morld,  except  his  child.  I  had  them  ready,  sind  forgot  them, 
somehow,  that  night  in  my  haste.  They  may  have  been  removed 
bat  I  think  not — 1  left  them  in  the  secret  drdfwer  of  an  Indian 
cabinet,  and  I  know  none  of  the  large  furniture  was  ever  taken 
from  the  Grange.  At  twelve,  to-morrow  nigh^  I  will  be  at  thr 
gates — will  you  meet  me  there  ?  " 

♦I  will" 

Shelook  his  hand  and  kissed  it,  as  she  had  done  that  night 
kwig  ago  In  the  waiting-room  at  the  railway.  ^ 

**  Heaven  bless  you,  best  at  niends.  And  now  I  must  leav« 
yoa — he  has  missed  nle  long  ere  this."  She  flitted  away  with 
the  words,  and  he  was  left  alone  under  the  red  lamps  and  night- 
ingale's jw-jug. 

He  lodfed  at  his  watch— nine  o^dock— the  first  act  would 
be  over ;  but  better  late  than  never.  The  fii;st  violinist  of  the 
Lyceum  itrode  away  at  a  tremendous  rate  toward  the  theatre. 

I^«cisely  at  midnight,  the  following  night,  Duke,  in  a  light 
wagon,  was  waiting  outside  the  ponderous  gate  of  the  Priory. 
■♦Were  his  nocturnal  adventures  never  to  end?"  Duke4»ron- 
donMl,  and  **  what  would  Rosanna  say  to4norrow  when  she  found 
his  bed  unslept  in  ?  "  I^dy  Charteris  was  punctual,  and  ho 
drove  her  along  through  the  quiet  night  to  the  haunted  Grange. 

**You  had  better  wait  outside,"  the  lady  said,  **  and  keep 
natch.  I  know  how  to  effect  aa  entrance,  and  1  am  not  in'tUe 
least  afraid." 

She  approached  the  house  witk  a  rapid  and  resolute  step. 
She  might  be  afraid  of  Sir  Vane  Charteris,  she  ceitainly  was 
Mt  of  -supernatural  visitants.  The  open  window  ca<igh( 
hfcr  eye,  she  clambered  up  the  ivy-rope  ladder,  and  •tntored 
The  moon  chanced  t«  be  obscured,  and  the  figure  asleep  in  the 
dhair  «Adqped  her  eye.  She  carried  with  her  a  dark-lan^.nw. 
iHiidi  she  lit  now,  and  passed  out  of  the  apartment  and  up 
•tain  to  the  chamber,  that  had  long  ago  been  her  own. 

She  was  ri^t  in  her  sunnise.    The  Indian  cabinet  had  not 
She  found  the  spring  she  wanted,  the  drawa 


( 


Imrottt;  diere  lay  die  cherished  packet    She  caught 
Mmat  it  mto  her  bosom,  and  rapidly  desccpdad.  ^ 
It  WM  Ihatt  har  foamaps  awoke  the  ilaayf. 


tt  0^ 


■  m  t 


'^v 


^^tli'S  M/Si>AMt>s. 


^  Udy  Chaneri.  p«..d  on  U.  u^^j  with  .  ,ow.  .t^u.^ 

f  J^iu  **  ***^°**  "»  '^h'cb   she  had  been  ho«      • 
f«  H^  th- ve^»^th.chUd«d«iS^r  «:^t?.c"^^^ 


m 


each 


CHAPTEX  V. 
rou.y's  Misbiuts. 

™k  and  b™,gM'-£t"»S^^i,rrif,r  •«■ 
i*or  an  «nstant.tt)dtlvJlSB<h«!rt^i,i  . 


lightj 


speechless,  spell-bound-  - 

*  they  beheld  a  supernat- 

xe  lantern  shone  more 

lady,  die  girl  recognized 

swept  away  in  an  impulse 

I  her  lips.    The  words,  the 


.        For  an  instant  ftdMi. 

f  h  the  same  wild  thoiil 

uralvisjtant     Then,  «  the  «f 

broadJoverth<^faceandVn 
^er,  and  all  superstitious  fears 

of  uncolntrollable  surprise. 

LadyCharteris!"  dropped 

sound  of  a  human  voice    brot^'^til-""  'T.°*    /"^  ^^^^  the 

*.  S  o"r  i^J^rr'  •"  »*- «« »«« dcT  u 

"•""H"  Polly  mS'i  „  *^  *"  »«'  huni«ll^-lu|f  inSifc 

Shri  lifted  her  lirfit  hurh— .i^  u  i.  * 

W  the  fair,  dSSpTi:^  /I  *^S!L''  ^"  .*^  «^«*1«.  girlii* 

^"^heAertolaugjy'^  thu,  ^ete<^  h,^ 


them; 

f'OU^ 

you  ?  • 
"I 
■aid  it 
And  u 


1^ 


miLv*M^  Mmtmu>M 


141 


«t,  tod  -«n 

iow,  ciaiUj^ 

•cetc  Cmt  I 


;ht,  ii   On 
d  d6nr  hei 

)t{ 

ll-bouiid-  - 
supernat- 
one  more 
ecogriized 
n  impulse 

rords,  the 
Charterii 
ghost  of 

isely  ner 
IVho  an 

leaish* 
plebeiai 

dear  ta 
inacib 

•  girliii^ 

be  half 

banlij 


tm*f 


_  ?"    PdOf  lauilMd  A  tittle  hyftariiiaByxllMv 

•«Oh,  Ladf  Chartoii,  it  wu  tooluh,  I  know,  and  Dnke  an^ 
Rojanna  will  be  ao  angnr  when  they  find  it  cot  I'm  half-sony 
now  1  came,  bat  I  could  not  help  it.  Eliia  Long,  you  don't 
know  hef ,  di  codrae— but  f^  hate  each  other,  sJie  an^  I— dared 
Be  to  come  here  and  spend  a  night  akbe  among  the  ghostit 
and  I-f  well,  1  know  I'm  a  bttle  fool  I "  I^oUy  cried  piteously, 
Mki  looking  ap,  with  her  big  blue  eyes  at  the  great  lady,  "but 
if  sbe  dar^nie  to  jump  into  Speckhaven  Btty,  1  think  I  would 
do  it  They  left  me  here,  and  are  to  caJV  for  me 
i/dock.  It  must  be  near  that  now.  And  please,  my 
-»very  humbly,)  **  don't  teU  ;  1  was  not  afraid,  indeed  1  « 
and  I  slept  nearly  all  the  time ;  but  Duke  would  bef 
(Duke's  my  cousin,  please  my  lady,)  and  he's  such^a  aeat«< 
cousin,  I  hate  to  make  him  sorry.  Oh,  l*ady  Chartens 
Polly  clasped  her  hands^"  I  know  this  is  your  house,  but  I 
not  know  that  you  or  anybody  ever  came  here,  or  I'd  ne  ^ 
have  done  it    Oh  please  don't  say  I've  done  anything  so  very,, 

reiy  wrong."  , .   ..  . 

PoUy  could  talk  at  all  times,  and  awe  <rf  ladies,  mat  oi 
ymaii,  she  did  not  know,  ^e  wondered  to  find  Lady  Chartem 
here,  at  such  a  time,  and  she  hoped  Duke  wouldn't  discova 
her  tescapadej  but  she  was  as  f»epared  to  converge  with  a  baiO' 
nef  s  lady  as  with  RosMgi. 

It  was  a  moment  Mbre  my  lady  answned,  a  moment  dur- 
ing whicb  she  stood  looking  at  the  girl,  with  her  hand  pressed 
^tly  o»tr  her  heart  Tht  blue,  beseeching  eypf  were  so  ttk^ 
soxirueliy  like  eyes  diat  seventeen  years  ago  had  been  deara 
to  her  than  earth  and  all  its  |lory.  It  gave  her  a  pang  alrooM 
u  sharp  as  death  to  see  theu  counterpart  thus.  She  scai^rdi 
heard  a  wotd;  she  only  knew  that  the  child  of  her  love  itooe 

beCmne  her. 

*'|ily  4fi*H«g»  My  darling  1"  she  said,  with  a  sitfothered 
sobk  Jeoh  my  darling  I "  a^dthe  astonished  PoUy  found  herscll 
cau^  in  the  lady's  ums,  and  tears  and  kisses  taining^on  ba 


Miss  Mason's  first  impulse  was  that  Lady  Chartens  had  goM 
isddenly  mad.  It  was  not  an  improbable  fiBmcy»  under  ttM 
dicamstaoces,  and  much  more  alarmed  than  she  had'been  an* 

She  was  wrepaieu  to  mxt  a. 
\m^  Chartens  yunkm 


~Rrove  to  frt  awajf. 
^MM^  if  you  Iflte,  but  not  a  iunatic 
gMMl  hat  in  an  instant  a«yi  at 


r 


■'0-? 


M     «  'i*lii*,«      a«i3i^ 


% 


V, 


.,-* 


144 


fiQjLtrs  MISDEEDS, 


r-\ 


■*--".* 


thing  for  you  to  di--?n!.«        '  ^^^  ''^''^'  '^hat  a  strange 
" VoTu. .mfr^j    J        •  ""!  koMnn^ don't  SbT wu." 

'i^^'ZZ,*^.^^  -«•  --"r  bapp,."  *.  Ud, 
^^j|2;^„  «"  one  Of  .  poU  pOT«  u,  >  cage  ukij^  b, 

"  It  it  just  half-Da8t\3^»  i!^L.^  ?  u       *'"  ™*  **  *»««  '  " 

people  .tT  ??i«?.^  i:^;^;;^  ****"  «»^  "^  »h« 

chance  ta.ee  them,  that  vw^a^  ^°  u*  "'V*"**^  J^ 
"  My  ladv  lij*.««J«r  '*^,*^**  "»ft  me  here.     Now  come." 

fc»^  them  find  ^e  1^  VSl  t^rff  ''Z:'  "r ' '  "^'^'^ 
-«»ld  never  hear  L'SJ  oMt "  "  "***  ***'J'  '^'"^     ^ 

•Oh,  Ahce  Warren  and  Eliza  Loni  m^nA  »-«  


a^3^"--^i^wr.'wiu' 


r 


fj^^,-^^>^^«^>aw... 


k.<*|,'kg§1^4YT'*-^'^ ';-. 


POLL  rs  misdeeds: 


UJ 


'  «A  ««»lding!    Duke  scold r    P°"y  ^^llR^.f  d^lr  na 

Csl'nna  wo"u7rsc7d^n7l  shouldn    mind  a  bit ;  but 
Suk^"    Pony  shook  her  head  with  contrition  :       No. 

I  know  Duke  won't  hear  of  it"  

"•^m.jie  ilaiJi  oot-lrom  me.^  A«i  I  «■* f»  •»«  »«^ 
MNihere.     It  «€e»i»»  •lu»o«t  cruel*'*  ««  ««- 

^•Vou  «e  very  kind,  my  lady.  Imt  d<«'t  ««»*«*;  f^** 
1^  and  I  i#«i*»i  go,  thaf  ■  the  amount  of  it.    Plea*  lei 

HiSii  Me  a  brave  Uide  giiL    Good-night,  and  don  t  come 

""^ki^LT^crion  given  with  the  ki..  waj  utte^  in  the 

Udyihe^     Polly  hJliVHjKer  out  of  the  wmdow,  and  watched 

Xf  M  .he  flitted  down  the  avenue,  her  light  .tep.  lost  on  the 

^r^o^rLder  what  brought  her  here?"  thought  K^ 
Mason,  "all  alone,  and  at  thi*  time  of  night-morning,  meaa 
"Sf  Tf  close  upon  two  tfclocic  I.  Ae  ping  to  w^  »»  ^ 
way  to  Montalien  Priory,  and  does  her  Rusband  know  wf% 

~Pouf^a^'^'<ii««U^  "I*>-i^*^JT^ir^,tte 
She  had  not  hmg  to  wait  Before  two  struck  the  q«frtctte 
,t<«d  under  her  wiSdow,  filled  with  remote  and  dire  n«««vmjL 
W^W  they  find  her  alive  when  they  returned ;  would  thg. 
Sn^her  at'^aU?  Might  not  Ae<^ahe,'.  ghoat  ^her^ 
aodily  to  th-  land  of  resUess  riiadoW^when^  he  «««'»»» 
pSfy,  a.  bright  as  a  new  •hillin«,  stood  smdxn|befoieA^ 
Sa  liapedSth  the  bound  of  a  kid  out  of  the  mindow  and  mto 
me  arms  of  the  haberdashti's  young  maa  *#..«. 

-That  will  do,  Sam ;  I  don't  want  helis;  said  Miss  Maw^ 
«th«rdi«dainfidly.  After  Allan  F«e  ««i  Guy  &xbc^  it 
wa«it  likely  she  was  ever  again  goinf  to  t»lerate  tradesmerfs 

^Lke/     "Ye.,  I'm  ^^^^^  "^  ^^^l  ^^Z^tJ^ 
;Kr  and  the  rats ;  and  ^ve  h«l  *  «i^le  ^^^r^  % 


aiMMuM? 


piY^jlessant 
ifrul  now 


li.  Vbope  ywi're  convinced  I'm  not  ^_  -- . , 

oL  or\S  i  yol^  Ut  Duke  or  Rosanna  tod  <mt  Jgb  nj^ 


jS^V*  ii^s  .<  I 


4l; 


,1.  •  L^2\<i«iu^^U 


I         i! 


i  ill    m 
111 


I 
III 


t4» 


fOtLrs  MiSDEMAi, 


v-1' 


th^Uw  might  no^dotoheSu^lr^^^^  "^c.''"*"»  *»«^ 

"d  she  kept  her  wcftl--for  t-Ifi  !u  P*''^*?*'     She  p,o«,i»rd, 

op  for  the  occMwa    sE   cSli  ^  ^" J"^  '°  i*»  ^«J 
<Jna>  n]k  (br  Sundays.     PoH v  S  »w  ^  T''"^  »n"*'in  and  a 

.  wiut^.  blue merC ^  ^'^cT'^'^''^^  «'  *nd  las. 
niHN  &ded  a  little,  but  \^^S'^^!^  '^'^  *»*"«  •»« 
colot  that  suited  her  best  «?^  ^  -Iwrt^eeved,  and  the 
^«*  of  her  ej^  to  tie  up  tS^ClT  ^  .*»'°'  ^^"^  ^^ 
the  whole  <7Sr  adci^nL  ^S^P,*^^*"^**  ^^  '«^a«  * 
iJje  rounded  ariS^,  t^TSd  thfL^i*^^  '»»«»*<i*"  «<* 
*f  ahort,  boyish  cuT^TSke  snS!^^*^'*.'^^^^*'  *"« 

•»*Ppm«  pomes,  and  ffi^Mi^SZJSi.T?^'^'^  ''«'^ 
««u.  seated  undsr  an  arch  of  momin;^™  ^^'^  5""  *»*^«-  ^o"* 
posing  for  the  00^^^,^"^^^^^  «Jf»dtn«  Tennysoa 
pretty  plainly  what  he  iioZi/i  hiJtl?*^  *^*"  ^"^^  »'«' 

««<i,  and  this  wmTS2L,  Mau^k^  ""^  **  ♦"«  fair  Rosr 
<»*«.     MiHS  Maud  ChartJn.  «       w-     «  c*M«ncd  with  Uw 

•«nrued  with  t,uaJ  haXr     -h     ^**  '*°'''  "^'^  *'  '*««^' 
kto^i^  -.^ .    ^  7"^*  *»«u  iicafv  of  aaiMi^t   »»i.  i.„  *— l    . 


■~»  Mi«*  jouiif  M(4Q«  ufted  to  909  km  mrnt  ctm 


•J.  1'.' ^L.. )^i^%ja.ii».  -X^dkl 


■»^  SfB"-   «(-*ri"  "    ^V- 


>t  ^ 


M 


POLLirS  MfSPSMMt. 


H7 


trtrted  tM««hly  vittk  hn-  smaU,  pinched  featnrei  and  sickl] 
paikR-.  She  «im  ^-etiwd  like  «  4oU  now,  in  tartan  «lk  of  kril- 
l  Wtt  hoeft,  a  white  lace  acait  a  Paria  tut,  wreathed  with  pink 
toae-bmls,  ami  dainty  boota,  and  gievesi  and  pink-dlk  and  point 
iant  parasoL 

PoUjr  Mw  it  aU,  and  the  foded  blue  merino,  and  her  bare, 
brown  hands,  and  her  straw  hat,  with  its  che^  ribbons,  looked, 
ab  \  so  unutterablf  shabby  and  poor  and  mean.  How  could 
Mr.  Fane  e/er  kwk  at  her  twice,  beside  the  glittering  little  but- 
torfly,  this  baronef  s  daa|;hter,  dressed  in  rwse  silk  ?  She  turned 
dck  with  hopeless  longmg,  and — ^yes,  the  truth  uust  be  told, 
mvj^ — and  was  driven  to  Montalien  Priory,  to  silent  and  de- 
wessed,  that  she  hardly  luie#  heriell  How  could  she  tell  that 
Mr.  Fane  nevor  saw  the  tartan  silk,  the  Paris  rose-buds,  or  the 
point  lag^^ne  only  knew  that  the  baronet's  dauriiter  was 
saUow^Hitny  and  not  pretty,  and  that  a  cirl  as  bngfat,  as 
bloon^iPiPPeeautiful  as  Hebe's  self  sat  beside  him,  witti  two 
blue  eyes,  whose  like  he  had  never  seen  before. 

Miw  Charteris  deigned  to  talk  a  little  to  Mi^s — aw — Mason, 
as  the  step|>ers  bore  them  along.  Had  she  re^ly  lived  all  hex 
life  in  this  duU,  country  town  f  Had  she  never  been  to  school 
nor  to  Paris — never  even  to  London  ^  It  must  be  dreadfuU) 
dull— such  a  life.  She  regarded  the  shabby  merino  and  the 
common  straw  hat  with  pitying  wonder.  She  wa5  vnuttera&ly 
condescending  to  this  dpwdy  country-girl  whon*  Mr.  Fai-c 
wanted  to  paint  The  uttle  embryo  lady  took  tti*  airs  ^  a 
grawU  dame  as  naturally  as  a  duckUng  takes  to  waier  9ad  widi 
every  question  of  the  disdainful  patrician,  Polly  grew  more  and 
more  angry  and  sulky,  and  sorry  she  came ;  and  it  w^s  in  a 
very  bad  humor,  indeed,  that  she  entered  the  dusay  spien'^or  oi 
the  Priory,  and  followed  Mr.  Fane  into  an  apartment  wbei« 
(l*wers  blooitned,  and  birds  sang,  and  beautifiil  pictures  werf  on 
'Jie  walls,  and  tadl  va#es — taller  than  herself— stood,  and  a  '1  m 
key  carpet  covered  the  floor,  and  silken  draperies  hung,  ari 
Parian  statur  ttes  glimmered  in  the  pale-green  light  Her  heat' 
lank  more  and  more  at  sight  of  all  this  splendor.  No  wondei 
Maud  tJharteris  despised  her — Maud  Charteris,  to  whom  this 
gorgooos  temple  was  only  an  everyday  drawing-room,  and  whu 
Dv^  m  perpetual  tartan  silks. 


~Mj."Fan*~teft  h^r  Tor  a  m6nVenri(rgo~^i6iri^df"MlMr 
Haatton,  he  said,  who  was  to  sit  for  Queen  Eleanor.     Misi 
Ckv««ns  leli'lier,  eacnsmg  herself  elaborately,  to  renKwe  hai 
PoUjr  was  alMM.    SilMica  leigMd    ItwuKki 


k... 


.jm..' 


f 


.     (wn  jesting,  sorely.     Wh.  thrLw„    t .        "J*  ™"  '»" 

.dj«s  ^JidprfS"ed-^';^j:^rr-.*'~''''~'"'-^^^  ■ 

JVor^fed^  „  describe  Ae  u^f^hionable  n«k,„,  UU,  ^ 
*'  How  tiresonie  of  Mr.  Fan«»'  ♦«  r-»«k  u      m.      '  •   ■': 

•  'ivT"'^^'-  •**  ''d  hair  and  frUteT         '""^'  '  ^'" 

*  -S?L:S;1,;«:?erer""^*^  "«".««  fel,  fan  ,„bu„ung 

Fane  ever  broueht  her  here  ?     <;k-  „!;.  "J*""^*^^'  *hy  nad  MR 

•ut;  how,  she  L^knJw  through  ?L''P^  *"^  T^^  '^^  '~) 

dowj  that  ™d  gildeSL'd^^"e§  .tS.r%tr"^^^^ 
/   Ae  house,  ant  into  the  bhaht  «,J^-         .?^* .  ^"^  ^^  ^^  o* 

chokedher.      ™*  '**^  »*«« »  «welliiig  m  her  throat  that  nearly 

dr^XT^^i  country^girl,  with  r«l  hair  and  freckles  I  ••    tk./ 
U-^  .entencc  rang  in  her  ear.  like  a  SftltSSrii  J^^ 

dr^aTbhf  ^LT  !^1..r"^  •?*^  *^  off  the  bl« 

It  was*  q.Se^fS^.'^ j^^^  «  »5^^^^ 
•mi  looked  it    $h?  had  Ted  h^?  ♦^   •      She  «w  a  dowdy, 

frw'iiea  Tlieli«ht«rjJ;.T!!  the  «ame,  and  she  had 
A*  counted levS^Ser^.^"*^  •^^  '^*?'"«  ^^'  'V^ 
ae  wa.  neither  ZvTnorZnZr^t^'^jf'''  **^  o^''^' 

j^(PoU,  kaew  F;r^hT?hent;-'dafrc^"l^^ 


^ifn,  _      „___H  ~ "     Jj  JT^-     r^^y  "^'tf  °" 


M 


,>■. 


jmu.y*s  MtsitiKna, 


»•» 


Ae  f «t  a  table  to  henelf^  and  ircmed  those  dodies  Urith  a  vin- 
dictive energjr,  that  left  her  cheeks  crimson,  and  her  cjres  foD 
of  streaming  light.  She  was  dead  idlent,  too,  and  dechnei  tak- 
ing her  tea,  wheii  tea-time  came,  and  went  out  into  the  rardea 
to  let  the  evening  wind  cool  ofl|  if  it  could,  her  flushed  face 
•  And  as  she  reached  the  gate  there  stood  Mr.  Allan  Fane  ii 
person. 

"  Miss  Mason — Polly  1 "  he  began,  "  what  on  earth  made  jroi 

on  away  ?     Did  I  leave  you  too  long  ?     I  give  you  my  word  1 

ooold  not  help  it,  and  I  hope  you  are  not  offended.     WLat  waA 

Pdly  looked  at  him  with  flashing  eyes.  She  would  have  cut 
off  her  right  hand  sctoner  than  let  him  know  how  she  had  been 
knmiliated. 

*•  What  is  it,  Polly  ?  I  think  yon  said  that  I  might  call  yoa 
Pbllfv"  with  a  tender  look.  ' 

"  Yoii  may  call  me  anything  you  please,  Mr.  Fane — a  dowdy, 
stupid  country-girl,  such  as  I  am.     If  I  were  Miss  Diana  Hatit 
ton,  or  Misi^  Maud  Charteris,  it  would  be  quite  another' thing — 
Ixit  how  could  a  shabby,  ignorant,  red-haired  pxsdc  ex^>^ 
either  respect  or  courtesy  I "  '     * 

"  PoUy— -Miss  Mason  i  Good  If,eaven  I  has  any  one  insulted 
jrou?    Who  came  into  the  rooms  while  I  was  away?^' 

."  Not  a  soul,  Mr.  Fane.  But  you  should  not  be  surprised  at 
•rythingA  person  in  my  class  of  life  may  dO.  We  don't  kn<6* 
any  better,  and  I  got  frightened,  very  naturally,  at  all  tfa« 
splendor  about  me,  and  fan  away — just  that  One  word,  one 
look  from  so  grand  a  lady  as  the  Honorable  Miss  Hauttoa 
would  have  annihilated  me ;  I  ran  away.  Don't  waste  youi 
time,  I  beg,  Mr.  Fane/  go  back  to  the  Piioiy  and  the  h^gh  nori 
ladies  there."  ,.  '4' 

"  Vou  are  as  thorough  a  lady  as  the  best  of  thetn.  Miss  Ma 
•on,  if  you  will  pardon  my  presumption  in  saying  so,  and  1 
wouldn't  exchange  five  minutes  with  yon  for  a  day  with  tbs 
Cureat  of  them  I " 

He  told  the  truth — there  was  a  glow  on  his  placid  fac?  verv* 
anusual  there.     Polly,  pretty  at  all  times,  was  tenfold  pretlia 
when  thoroughly  angry.     The  ^haughty  poise  of  the  heiad, 
ftashinit  fire  in  the  blue  eyes,  the  flush  on  tbS'bval  cheeJM^  fiba 
rogipiTtonfs  of  the^  dear  voice,  became  her^yeU.. C 


"  Some  one  has  o£fended— sonoTe  on&has  insulted  yot^,  it  may 
be,  Miss  Mason,  but  it  was  not  I.  If  I  only  dared  put  \%  words 
what  I  think  of  you  :  but  no.  even  the  deepest  admiration  may 


x,»iif*> 


'< 


10 


'MlLr*S  MtSAgMSS. 


^'T 


•ometimet  «ppm  impertinence   ^TcU  me  ymt  m  mot  mm 
with  me^I  could  not  bear  AW,  Polly."  ^^ 

^18  vwoe  softened  to  a  wonderful  tendemeM,  the  eyei  thai 
^f.T.  t"  ^^  <bU  of  a  light  that  8hot  a;  word.  homS 
Mr  Fane  having  spent  the  past  four  year,  at  ihe  busineM^ 
iS^JTS"  o'  the  art  of  Aw*  A  i*  Ji^^,  Ard  PoUy'rheM; 
^ftorred  for-  an  instant,  and  the  fiery  scorn  died  out  of  Li  Uon 

£li!!?  "•J!'**'*  **^..*  »>e«»"6d,  tremulous  light ;  but  .Lf 
Ughed  MucUy  eren  while  moved.  i  "»»  ■•.^ 

« you  are  talking'  treason  to  your  Wrereign,  Mr.  F*iA 
*    what  would  Miss  Hautton  say  if  she  heard  you?"   '  ^^ 

HWus  Hautton  may  go  Jto  Paradise,  if  she  likes.     What   f 
Miss  HauttontoM#/" 

"The  fiitwe  Mrs.  Fane,  or  rumor  tells  awful  stories  ( " 
Rumor  does  teU  awfiil  stories,  always  did.  If  I  cared  fa. 
Ms.  Hautton  would  Ib^  here?  Polly. Vou  must  ritXtS 
gcture,  only,  by  Jove,  I  shaU  have  to  paint  »w  lor  Ouee^ 
Eleanor,  tf  you  look  a.  you  do  just  now.*^  Wo^vS^  S^ 
m,andgivemeK>m<»tea,plea*!?  1  came  afkei  V*»  in  web 
haste  that  I  never  waited  for  luncheon.-  «»  J^  "  wicD 

to  walk  three  miles  ?  Oh.  Mr.  Fane,  -W^  think  n^  a  gream 
goose  than  you  can  help.  Come  in.  if  you  like,  and  I  JSnS 
if  Rosanna  wiU  let  you  have  the  tea."  «.     «/  wm  see 

"That  doesn't  wund  too  hospitable,"  the  artist  wud.  "but 

I^Va  **"!"  ''^^  ^S^  *P  ***^  **»«  '**'^.  one  mnit  not 
stand  on  the  order  of  h,,  invitation.  We  .Lall  have  the  Mttin« 
here,  Mist  PoUy,  inMead  of  at  the  Priory."  ^^^ 

^';  ^S  *^*  "^"^  ?***  "**»*=***  'h*  fi^«J  gingham  :  he 
iSe td  ^l£i^  "^«  ' '^'^  «~» '^^P^^ 

PoUywa.aU  mortal  man  could  dewre,  and  he  lingered  until 
lie  moon  wa.  up,  and  the  loud-voiced  kitchen  dock  struck 

22?.i?**.K  'l*^/.'^*  i^  was,  what  a  beamiful,  blissful 
•arid  altogether  I  And  Ro«nnacaUed  life  a  •rearypUgrimaft 
•ad  earth  a  vale  <rf  tears.  '  !*"»»"»»•    . 

w."**t''.i  *^"  •gain— md  veijr  soon.  PbUy?"  adied  Me 

.«me^  holding  her  h^nd,  and  lookuig  into  the  eyes  he  thouaht 

Mightei  than  aJ  those  shining  stars  above  -~-ip» 

Jl^gy^i^"  Mi"  Mason  xespondgd  deawie^  «-attd  if  yqw^^ 

>  progreaa  at  every  sitting  as  yob  have  Amc  at  mk. 

tha  hit  AoMtmond  wiU  be  OMipUlMl  bdn«  Im 


\  r 


Mr.  Fam^ 


POllY*S  MISDSMM.' 


isr 


Kwnr  U.**  Her  deai  laugh  rang  out,  the  truth  being  the  artrt 
'had  tjotfreiy  foigotten  fair  Rosamond,  Allan  Fane  beuw  so  eis 
STOMed  by  Polly  Mason.  He  Ut  his  cigar  and  walked  hoiw 
Srough  the  soft  summer  night,  with  the  uneasy  convirtio» 
dawmng  upon  him  that  he  was  falling  helplessly  m  love.  TJert 
bad  been  moments,  this  very  evening,  when  it  had  be«n  »»  O' 
could  do  to  restrain. himself  from  snatcWng  her  to  lus  bre«». 
reaigning  al'  the  hopes  and  ambitions  of  his  life,  and  becow' 
Bossessor  of  those  wondrous  eyes  of  purple  light,  th^  darkling 
fparKling,  beauteous  face,  that  saucy,  witching  smfl6. 
"  Jove  !"  he  exclaimed,  "what  a  fece  that  gu-l  haa— what  a 

pair  cf  eyes  1"       ^  -  .  j 

He  thoQght  of  Diana  Hautton,  and  her  thrrt  thousand  a 
year,  her  lofty  oirth,  her  blue  blood.  She  had  blue  eyes  too, 
but  aristpcratic  m  aU  things,  Miss  Hautton/waa  most  msta 
craticaUy  near-signiod,  and  the  eyes  were  wofiilly  dma  and  laded 
by  oJmparison  with  tnose  he  had  left  ;.  ..,.  ^      "^  . 

"Why  wasn't  I  born  with  two  thousand  a  year?"  the  artist 
thourfit,  moodily.  "  Tu  marry  that  girl  oiit  of  hand^  aiid  go  to 
Italy,  and  spend  the  rexn^oaer  of  my  dayi  lying  at  WW  feet, 
looking  up  at  her  perfect  beAWr,  and  fancy  it  always  afternoon. 
Or  why  hasnH  she  a  fortune  f    *iCy  pretty  Polly,  I  fear  you  and 

I  must  part."  ^,  /  ' . 

Ux.  Fane  did  not  present  himscll  4t  the  cottage  next  mom 
ing,  as  Poliy  half  hoped ;  and  after  dmaer,  putting  on  htr  hat, 
she  strolled  up  to  see  her  friend,  ^ce  Warren.  If  Mr.  Fane 
was  coming,  she  would  meet  him,  or  if  n<  went  to  the  hoi^, 
and  found  her  out,  it  would  do  hito  no  hai.a  to  wait  She  (fid 
not  meet  him,  however,  and  roiching  the  jwliff's  abode,  she 
found  Alice  aloiie,  and  in  aomeij^lc^ty,  „..„      .       _. 

"Whafs  the  matter.  Ahce?r  Polly  asked,     "Whereri  fw* 

mother?"  /,  ,  .    ^     '       ^    j-      ws. 

«'  Mother's  gone  to  Specblaven ;  fcthei'i  Mt  attendinf  tei 
business,  and  BiU/s  off  a-fialuH;  wd  here's  a  message  fi  on 
faUier  that  Billy's  to  go  tip  to  the  Priory  aa  fcat  as  he  c«a 
There's  a  sort  of  water  party,  and  they  want  hiw  to  row  oo*  « 

the  boats."  /  .  _^ .  ,. . 

Miss  Mason  pricked  up/  her  ears.  A  water  party  1  thif  wm 
why  iAx.  Fane  had  not  but  in  an  appearance  that  monuac. 
Why  had  he  t<rfd  her  notlAy g  of  thiy  ?\ 

~irKTir^i7iiiiMi  iikd  Mr:  Guv  can  row;, 


MTTtands  iuld  Mfi  uuy  can 
■you  know  him,  FoUy — cannot, 
Whatever  ihaUl /do?' 


BOly'f 


SUM 


"fi't't'W^mf^^r 


K^ 


^^y*S  MtSOMMOa 


'*', ;     ■S* >-!*■;■ 


^  widden  inspiration  flashed  across  PoUv*.  n.;-^ 
•P««k»ng  6ce  of  hers.     .S*^  ccmW^-      a    •"**='**" *^ 
PMaesscd  her  to  see  howMr^aJ  ^  '^  JT***^  «»"««*> 

•ociety  of  Mis.  lUuttoiT    He  £S  ^^t^  himsetfTS 
plainest  terms,  the  IWaWe  D^I  i**"^!?**^"**'''  »  »*«  ' 
nothing  to  hiin^    iy"/i^Ln     f  '^  **°''^'  »««  Aw 
hooA^Aliee  read  W^ A^*^  ?  P""*  »»»  both  or  (b  .*- 
claspeH  her  US?         "*«=*"«^«««  <««««»  b  her   face    « 

"On,  PoUy,  don V  she  cried,  aghast 

fail  twenty  rainute;,^r^,ut«^^***"*^  '^^  ^'^^  >««X 
fally  she  iJas  beinTii^^  „^"  ^^^fr^*^"**  how  shame^ 

be  found  out    If  I  tm.  it  «».,  .  h"!;     ""^     "And  1  won't 

jwce  and  hair  wash,  and  Bin.'.  S«Ta1-^  .  **^  walnut- 

,  Dear,  fair,  ^^^yTu^^fl^^^^J^i^r'^'*'  Alice  ! " 

.  please  remember  this  shodSJTJT  ■*'^'^^<^  I  am  sure ;  but 

a*  fiiU  of  frolic  as  a  kS^n^H  .    "^"^^  '^  o»iy  ««een. 

.  a.  wise  at  sute."«  fS^  i^t^t'^'sh/SiT''"?''  ''"^  "«« 
the  eva  and  miierv  ofX- mvi  !X  .•/  *"^  **"  unpuIse-aU 
acted  on  im^l^! At^cvf^A^'l^l^  ST  **^  S^e 
mtothebail&r.h^uTeaprrttTSt^i^^^  There hadgone 
a swardiy-skinned,  black-K*  S^^^^lZ^t'^ oaaco^ 
much  slouched  over  his  e^  wh^ir  T  "^^  ****  **•  ^e^ 
Ws  jacket-pockets,  and  who^JkS^^^     T*  "^^^  ^«V  <« 

letter,  *Alice  lU>ked  IS Jh^ In  ShllJi^  ''^^  '™*  ^y"' 
■»ued  with  dismay.  '      ^"«°«»«  wonder,  not  an 

*^t«  .S^r^St,'^'  sSL^T/r"  *^  »»^"^» 

covSred  I"  ^*'     **"*»  «««  graooHs  !  if  she  shouH  be  dis. 


''V«.,liiK,ln«l«,.-«lM».,«„,„^     H,^ 


,-7-^ 


^2J*%iLi-^^^^-A»-'^'*     JtJ5£l,j(r*    ^j 


J,tr--r-5ipj:w'  •'r,S-5?JB*t  ""  ' 


POLLYS  MISDEEDS. 


Ill 


egnised  the  necessity  for  it.    "Cut  across  them  mead 
ows  now,  and  down  td  the  lake  like  fun.     Tlie  gentfy'e 

•waitin' "  '  .  , 

The  lad  bmuuLbl  acron  the  meadows^  erery  pulse  tmglin| 
irith  eacitement  and  the  fan  of  the  thing.  For  tnc  inipiopnet> 
—well,  did  not  Vidla,  in  the  garb  of  a  pajje,  follow  her  kuigh» 
t»  the  wan?  And  did  not  Helen  Mar,  in  mJe  attire,  pene 
irate  to  the  prison  of  her  Scottish  cnief  ?  and  was  not  Hele» 
lifar  but  one  remove  from  an  angel?  If  pages'  costume  wer« 
die  coreect  thing  for  ladies  a  few  hundred  years  ago,  where  wa» 
the  great  harm  now  in  Billy's  Sunday  jacket  and  sit  u pons  ? 

Amid  the  wooded  slopes  of  the  great  park  Uy  the  mere,  oi 
lake,  a  broad,  deep  sheet  of  water,  embosomed  m  wooded 
heights,  9mi  with  two  smlll  islands  nestUnglike  |fter>ld*  on  lU 
shining  breast  These  islands  were  famous  picnic  plares,  and 
the  present  destination  of  the  party.  ,.  ,  ,     ,  ^ 

There  were  three  boats.     As  Polly  t^rang  lightly  down  the 

F'    -een  slope,  she  took  in  the  whole  scene.      There  was  Mr. 
rancis,  aheady  launched  in  his  white  skL9,  with  l.adv  Char 
leris  and  a  Miss  Mortimer,  a  near  neighbor  ;  there  was  Mr 
Guy,  with  Miss  Maud  Charteris,  and  two  other  young  la.djes  a 
iky-blue  muslin ;  and  there  was  Mr.  Allan  Fane,  standing  be 
gi(k  Miss  Hautton,  and  looking  helplessly  at  his  "  boat  iiiw 
the  shore."     Why  had  he  never  learned  to  row  ?     Would  thai 
bailirs  boy  never  udme  ?    For,  if  one  may  venture  to  use  such 
«n  expression  with  regard  to  so  high  bom  a  lady.  Miss  Ilavlton 
Vas  in  the  sulks.     Had  not  Francis  F:arlscourt  "chafed'    Mr. 
Fane  in  her  presence  concerning  his  rustic   inamorata,  and, 
though  the  Honorable  Diana  was  disdainfully  upUfted  and  in- 
different  to  such  people,  she  had  felt  a  sharj)  pang  of  angei 
and  jealousy.    Just  now  she  was  haughty,  fiigid,  and  all  Mr, 
Fine't  efforts  «p  to  this  moment  had  failed  to  melt  her. 

"Thank  Heaven  1"  he  exclaimed;  "here's  that  boy  at  last 
ITM're  rare  yoa  can  row,  my  Ud?" 
"  Quite  rare,  sir." 

How  the  lad's  heart  was  throbbing  uiwJer  ally's  best  vjcdstcott  I 
bat  the  slouched  hat  hid  the  eyes  diat  flashed  so  wickedly. 

"  Permit  me  to  assist  you,  Miss  Hautton  ?  "  The  gentleman 
nreMl  wraps,  and  helped  hu  scornful,  silent  liege  lady  in  wUli 
r^  .       .  ZY^^      ..  oL-ii ; u  ,a  »hose  water-lilies  you 


ipoke  of  wmetime  since,  my  dear  Miss  Hautton? 

**Aa  y«a  plawe,"  Miss  Hautton  answered,  pohteljr,  itrofilai 
fMi »  ytvn : '"M  imU  one  pltce  w  aoother. 


^\ 


M^M^^'M..uii   ,....     ..    k.'_.^^. 


^.. 


s.  i<»l*'asSi.-«» 


IS4 


*OUV*S  mSDEMMS. 


A   1 


Hautton  was  thc^ljy     SUZfr    J  *^*  '*»  carriage,  S 
^k  a  pathetically  Ser  SS^S'CIli  '^^b::^!W^ 
a  heart  of  flint,  Ah  1  PoUVSTiL^;  '°°''*  '"'?'*»  *»»ve  gone  to, 

white  parasol  relented  in  tot  .miu*?*'"'^  '^  under  the 
'^/P«  ofthegentlemai      *"^**  '^  especially  gallanJ 

poes^riifueti;;;rn^^^ 

I  wonder?"  '        ^^'^  *PP'«''«"«  JOur fine  speeches 

^^Sf^^tSn'^atU^S^^^^  ret  .he  hate* 

dear'SSls'HXWet  tl':»  "  »'«^e  Polly ,  „, 
fsque  mogel,  with  StnylS^  «d  ^iS'^?'"  "^^  *  Pi^^t^! 
for  Greuze.    1  have  tct  m^h!^Zf^  ^^  **'"*=  ^^^es-a  model 

«d  Eleanor-  a  suc^e^^'aSS^teSst^S"/  *f  *  ^^^^-^M      ^ 
Rosamond.    Who  wodd  makHJ^^T     *"  ^^^'^  ' '^"^  for  my 
«We  ru^c  school-girl  ?    ^?  /^tf  *  *"  ^??  =^  '^^^  to  I 
before  the  name,  JS  a  looirr  "  l7elSr~~^'""* ' "  *  P«»* 

tailed  tJ;fvCi;^e'^"!^h^^L''^^^  *»'^«  yoa  there?- 
^ck  there,  /  fa,^ ,?.  '**''  '^^^o^wed  at  this  juncttJe ;  « tj^'„ 

^He  pointed  to  the  I 


'/ 


"L-^-"*"  i~«"*«^  to  me  smafler  islan#i  ^j-  ♦u    ._ 
Were  making  for  the  b««     a»^     ^"^  two-the  other  bo«N 
two  hn.M  J..  — f  fll35^^.   ^<*  »«d«'  the  ^w  h^.'t. 


»-«  K  •  T^"»  ,or  tne  larger. 

t'Z  Sr«*»t  eyes  were  flashinir.  t -h  -#• 

"Very  well,"  the  ladv  i^'d.  «.«.-      j 
-    5c(  there,  then."         ^  ^^  "^^  *«"  »<>«  fntckrn^  **|« 
*>Uy"  rowed  with    '  " 


Ifaia 


II 


Ul«  Mlamt  "Lili.  lri.„^-  ^!*-gg%- 


-~--2«».  oeceiver  she  was  sonethi 


I 


-i** 


j^'^jp^ji^Fsr-it' 


-J!''^'»i    -  ■ 


T  like  'Mom 

4  his  rodci^,^ 
ave  Kone  I6, 
>  well— tW 
>d  told  lioi 
Setl  heireaiL 
•<lyed  tkin, 
irnaon  ivai 
{id  long  id 
under  the 
^gaJlaat 

Wr.  F4ne? 
-speeches 

ihe  hated 
io  be  jeai 

*olljr  I  my 

«  pictur- 
-a  model 
osamond 
3t  for  my 
bem  to  i 

apause 

there  ?- 
"they'ra 

at,  Amp 

■^  '*!« 

ofven* 
oodel,'' 
I  teMb 


|j-... 


p&utps  mtspsmbm: 


t$J 


ct 


\ 


lldi»  alw  tfiat  Mr.  Fane  could  no  nu>re  swim  fhan  raw,  and  a 
fcngefiil  resolution  came  into  her  wicked,  plottmg  little  head. 

**ril  give  you  plenty  of  time^  to  make  love,  and  propose, 
M^.  Allan  Fane,"  she  ti)Oc^%  as  she  ran  her  skiff  ashore,  and. 
leaped  out 

.  Mr.  Fane  careful!/  assisted  his  lady.  Was  the  boy  sure  the 
jorasi  was  not  damp,  that  the  ground  was  not  marshy  ?  Yei 
iLt  boy  was  positive  on  these  points,  and  Ted  the  way  to  wiierc 
dhe  liUes  gi*w — at  a  point  directly  opposite  the  landing,  with 
poUard  willows  and  alders  growingj  thick  between. 

^Go  back  to  your  boat  and  wait  for  us,  my  lad,"  Mr.  Faae 
said ;  **  we  will  return  in  an  hour  or  so." 

*'  fVUl  you?"  thoui^t  the  youth  addressed  :  "  that  remains 
10  be  seen.'* 

The  artist  made  a  seat  (or  the  heiress,  and  began  filling  a 
nnall  basket,  brought  for  the  purpose,  with  lilies  and  wild  red 
berries.  He  did  not  mean  to  propose  just  yet— he  ratlv|r 
shrank  fix>m  that  ultimatum,  amd  wished  to  postpone  his  fettisrs 
IS  long  as  possible,  but  omerwise  he  was  all  that  the  most  ex- 
acting lady-love  could  desire.  And  yards  and  yards  away  ova 
ttie  shining  lake  the  bov  and  the  boat  had  gone. 

Gone  1  Polly  rowed  straight  to  the  shore,  mdctfii  tl^  boat, 
and  with  one  vindictive,  backward  look  at  the  distant  green 
q>eck,  went  cooUy  on  her  homeward  way. 

**  H6  can't  swim,  and  they  won't  hear  him  if  he  calls,"  though 
die  avenger.  **  When  they  see  the  boat  here,  they'll  think  he's 
returned,  and  won't  miss  diem  for  some  hours.  There's  to  be 
a  dinner  party  to-night,  and  I  rather  think  two  of  the  guests 
wiUbelate." 

Polly  returned  to  the  baiUlTs,  doffed  filly's  clothes,  washed 
away  the  dye  and  walnut-juice,  and  went  hmne.  Rosanna 
wondered  at  her  variable^tnood,  for  the  rest  of  that  day.  Soine- 
times  all  aglow  with  mward  wrath,  and  i^gain  bursting  into  in- 
extinguishwle  fits  of  laughter. 

**  Wrecked  on  a  desert  island,"  Polly  thought.  "  I  wonder 
kow  thejr  find  themselves  by  thi»  time  ?  "     How,  inde^  ?  v 

The  likes  were  gathered---the  lady  and  gentleman  had  had  a 
very  pleasant  tite-ii-tite — ^die  sun  was  dropping  low,  and  Mias 
Hautton  looked  at  her  watch.  jElalf-past  five,  and  they  dined 
ft  seven— qute  time  to  go  home  and  dress.    She  took  her 

To  ffiie  boat,  indeedl  th«  boat  was  gone.    The 
fi^  looked  WanlrlT 


\^ 


fm  "!-■"  t*  "^ 


i 


I 


f.fj 


1)0 


^ouys  Mispmm^ 


^e  uked;f  liiMM  «mU 


>  / 
/■ 


"Whatdoei  this  mean?"  Mr 
OMUttle  wretch  have  gone?"        ]  '  \ "-"^ 

He  left  tlu^  lady  and  went  fouad  the  island.    ^  In  «-.« 
I»«:e  of  thetoyor  the  boatreSK^Sew^ 

W^UajWy.  pride.  !S?^U*JS?SS^Si 
tOT«  dMMted  on  an  iiland  with  Allan  Fane.  Ln^ iTS^TT?, 
fa«*i «.  nwrimen,  for  month,  to  c^T"       '  '"^ ""  : 

•wme-Hdl  in  M^-fSrT-..  -      "*  *<wtlnjnntil  he  .a. 

The  moments,  the  hdnn  passed— it  #a«  t«i.»'^-k>  ^ 

^g  wind  arose,  chiU  fror^^^^'^'- 
fann,  red  glow  died  out  of  the  skr  it  tum«l\^ii 

land.  a^rkness  of  night  was  wrapping  sea  and 

Mr.  Fane  SF^ang/upon  him  with  an  oath.  ;/ 

trick  r   '^  ^"^^^  ^f""^  ''^"^'  •     "^^y  ^'d  you.play  toi  this 


y-^i. 


•ndC 


-i-/" 


i^S  In^^H'  '""■  ""  '<"*«'  "P  ""■  •  fi^'  <>« 


«t"^Sfor.;r'™'' "'"'  ^°" ""  '""*• '  "'-v^  b~» 


here  to-day  afore.. 
And  looking  closely  at  him,  Allip  Fane  knew  he  had  not        / 


*'"''"^"""~"T"''r"rfTTiiriiin'i 


ii"''V'~ 


"ms" 


'•"p^ 


rW' 


tawra  v9Uiro  i>meam,and  otmbm  tmvGM.   w 

And  Ibni  ftere  dawned  upon  him  a  thought,  a  wild  idea.  ^  r^- 
troeone  He  said  not  a  word  :iHr helped  Mum  llauuon»\ 
mute  neeldy,  and  did  not  ipeak  five  words  aU  the  way  honoa. 
For  Polly,  ihe  laid  her  head  upon  her  pillow  that  njl^twin 
(kc  Yirtuoui  pride  of  one  who  has  .brought  the  wicked  M 
khlfMUB  retribution,  and  b'vped  coala  xA  &r«  upon  the  htai 
fr^4eoehrer  and  slanderer. 


/ 


-J 


^ 


> 

'i»- 


\ 


wncB  TKBAfs  or  lo^b's 


AfTto  ovmit  mnraa. 


lUCHESS,"  Mr.  Maaon  said,  the  foU«wing  morning,  is 
he  arose  from  the  ^ireakfast  table,  "when  you're  quite 
finished,  and  got  the  dishies  washed^  1  wisli  yoa  wooW 
step  up  to  my  room  betore  you  go  anywhere.     I  hava  • 

a  proposal  to  make  to  you."  . 

"Oh!"  said  ^eDuchesSj  "a  proposal  of  mamage,  Duke? 

Paying  no  aSicntion  to  this  flippant  inquiry,  the  sccn^^painter  ' 

went  on  his  mkw^tm^  to  his  own  peculiar  sanctum.     He 

was  unusuaMyg^fc  iuid  thoughtful  this  inoming,  as   PoUy 

might  have  noticed  had  she  hot  been  in  a  rather  spiritless  state 

herself:    The  reaction  that  always  follows  excitement  ha^set 

in,  and  though  she  had  raged  and  Uu^hed  alternately  yeste^ 

day,  this  morning  she  was  as  duU  as  Miss  Hautton  had  cajed 

her.    She  did  not  even  wonder  how  they  felt  ^MH^^^^"^^* 

idventfi^  on  the  island.    AVhy  should  she  tr«Hr  herself  to 

think  of  them— she  despised  her,  had  called  her  ignominious^ 

oames,  and  he  was  amusing  himself  19th  her  mstw;  sunpliuty, 

ind  Uughing  in  his  sleeve  at  the  effect  of  his  pretty  spefech^ 

"Ouly  a  handsome  model,"  indeed  I     How  glad  she  wa^^he 

had  ii^ver  given  him  ttnm.  «Be  sitting  for  the  Fair  Rosamond. 

Tbe  Weakiast  service  ckared  away  and  Ae  little  dining  rO|Mn 

tidied,  she  went  ups-^airt  wearily  to  the  paintin^room.    lye 

perennial  dabs  of  black  wo  f  on  the  pietty  face  aiid  hands,  a^ 

IhrtDotwi  pate^  hstJesi.    Bhe^bund  the  sce^e-painter  nal 

fH  at  wo^  but  sitting  before  a  small  shaving-gjiass,  roBtqp 

ptitivtfar  «v)bbiiig  the  stiibble  fill  hip  cbm. 


7T —  — 


*. ) 


■>  1'  ■'>,»i , 


"„-?%"TT^;  T^iM' 


i!':i 


■ 


15s    terms  young  mmam  and  otbem  rmNCs. 

f  li!^?.^  ^  J  ^^  postpone  it  unta  to-morrow,"  he  «U£ 
iTOBt  If  I  waited  another  da,,  Duche.3."  °>»  ""U  »«  <~ 

''DucheM,whafitheniatter?    You're  .sttinR  thin      Yoo'n 

«  i^r*^  y°"  "*^  80  to  boarding-school  I'  -  . 

"Toboardmg.ichooI,Dukel"  "*^ '*™*"" 
"To  boarding-school.  Duchess." 

*W  iSi  r«Si^.         ^'^  *°  C*"  '^^  »»"•     Now  her 
^f  SHii^l^y.'^''  wa.  t«  go,  and  her  first  sensation  wa, 

4Uan  FanT^ff  PoSt!^^  had  been  the  attentions  rf  Mr, 
there  w«riL«^Kj  '7  .•?*°*  pleasure  in  them.^  To  hi. 
X;^L:3?:S!5n*i'£lSi!  •  «crUege-like  a  desecrartl 
•awion^  >J^»Tr^  **'*"««  young  mar  talking  of  4ove  an<? 
Fttwon  to  his  little  uxteen-year-old  child.     He  would  ouieS*      • 

Jl!^"^^^"y*"  ^  e»cbuined   in  a  JKght^nH  voi«^ 


bft  kyved  lit  q| 


<J-. 


r 


lorms  Tomre  dkeam  amd  otmam  rMi/tas,    i%^ 

No.  Dnke,  Fm  not  going  to  object  TU  go  with  ^  th» 
pleMore  in  life.  I  need  iKhool  of  some  kind,  goodnew  knswi 
L-«ich  an  ignnnint,  wfld,  good-for-nothing  wretch  «s  1  am. 
WLere  am  I  to  gof  *  . 

«*  To  Bromptdn — ^to  Mist  l^Msrose'B  establuhnaent  bqiira 
Weldon'8  daughter  went  there,  you  know.  And  I'll  take  fM 
next  week  if  you  think  you  can  be  re^y."  ,  ,aL         j. 

«*  That's  a  question  for  Roaanna— /can  be  ready  Um  enouge 
tf  my  clothes  can.  Can  yon  afford  it,  Duke  ?  It  will  cost 
dreaiAiUy,  won't  it?" 

"You  have  your  own  private  fortune,  Misi  Mason,  re- 
sponded l>uke,  gravely ;  "  it  shall  come  out  of  /Msi.  Out  of 
■even  hundred  you  can  spare  two  (or  your  education,  I  should 
hope,  and  then  when  you  can  play  the  piano  and  woik  Bcrlun- 
wool  oincushions,  and  are  five-and-twenty  years  old,  we wdl  marry 

Em  to  some  sensible,  middle-aged  professional  man— say  a 
iwyer  or  a  doctor,"  concluded  Duke,  with  a  ghastly  attempt 

at  a  jest.  .      .  ^ 

PoUy  frowned  and  turned  t«  leave  the  roon. 

"  1  hate^sensible  men-^I  abhor  middle-aged  lawyers  and  doc 
/  ton,  and  I  shall  never  marry— never  I  I'll  be  an  old  maid  like 
Rosanna ;  and  if  Mr.  Hawksleyever  returns  from  those  8ava|e 
*landa,  where  they  dig  gold  out  «f  the  ground  as  people  here  d« 
turniiis,  I'll  keep  his  house  for  him  if  he  will  let  me.  And  now,  ai 
I've  got  to  go  into  town  for  Rosanaa,  I'U  bid  you  good-mom 
ing,  if  you're  quite  done  tlHth  me." 

Polly  dei>arted,  dressed  heraelf  mechanically,  and  went  on 
Rosanna's  commission.  The  bright  sunshine,  the  freshaif 
blew  away  the  vapors  of  the  morning,  and  befote  she  had  been 
fifteen  minutes  abroad  PoUy  was  herself  again.  Her  step  grew 
elastic,  her  eyes  bright,  hsr  dieeks  rosy,  her  smile  radiant  Go 
to  school  I  of  course  she  would,  and  itudy  hard  too,  and  come 
home  accomplished,  a  piano- pUying,  fire-si^een  m*ung 
Italian-singing,  crayon-drawin§  -perfectly-finished  young  laJy. 
MisiJHautton  or  no  oi^  else  ibouid  caU  her  an  ignorant  rusUc 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  she  readied  hone,  and  die 
first  person  she  beheld  as  she^  seared  the  cottage  was  Mr. 
Allan  Fane.    She  had  spent  the  whole  morning  in  Speckhaver 

dining  with  a  friend^bere    and  now  as  the  western  sky  was 

reddeninc  she  sauntered  bomeward  trilling  a  aong  in  vc«y 
lladness  of  h  art  It  was  her  favorite  ballad  of  "Co«At| 
G^'  v\d  It  Wf  W  Giv  Earlicottrt  she  wm  thiakinc  m  ika 


\ 


/ 


"r 


..*  c-^. 


It. 


ifSo   £orrs  rotme  dmmam  and  trmut  rmmfs. 

Where  theartut  was  concerned  in  spite  of  her  pique  and  ^or 
Alton  Fane  had  been  a  Uttle  doubtful  about  his  reception- 

s?.Ste  ,*o"nu  t  '^'^T''  '^' "  ^  thirst 

d^JeS  ^55  ^  »«ft  »»™  on  the  island  to  punish  him  for  hL 
de^on,  hMd  stolen  upon  him.  As  he  met  that  brightly  dS^ 
jntj  saucjr  glance  he  felt  certain  of  it     ghe  loolted  lie  a  1^ 

SS  ^^'^  ^*^"?,'^  f  7«y  "^y^  and^Ae  blueVreS2 
«uw  preny  sue  was  1  how  pretty  I  how  nrmttv  i  h-  -^ 
artist,  remember,  and  an  adSrer  of  b^ruiSfn  il  t  "nk  sSI 
wore  the  "seryiceable  drab  .ilk/' but  SZ  Ld  lit  he^elf^ 
tow  « "If  of  cteny-colored  ribbcin,  andtr  hj^i  JST.  yS 
low  curls,  was  bare  to  the  red  sunshine.     She  waTsIriniinlS 

l^^cJ  •S.'tSle":  o^su^n^uT^^  ^'  ^^"^  ^^^^^'^^ 

*niay  f  do  W  "^'^'^"^  '^ater-party  to  Lilyislfnd  y^ 
^roay.  1  do  hope,  now,  you  didn't  tire  yourself  too  mn^ 
rowmg  ,n  the  hot  sun..    If.  lovely  on  Lily  UlanA  isn^it?"^ 

ta^'l  ^~I'.**'"  **"**"'  "  T"  ''^  ''«"  l^no"*  neither 
Mn  I  swuD.     As  you  are  strong,  be  merciful     Do  1  need  S 

hLT  "^  *!.T'»"^o»y  *ccSent  that  befeU  m?yes"crday1 

Oum  Hautton  and  myself  alone  on  that  confounded  1  u  e  tw^ 
rmayhalfpennf  uland;  how  Miss  Hautton  wept  Jtn  li^^ 
•^  reaaotfn;  how  I  swor^  inwardlfr  at  mySt  ho^SS 
f^-^and  the  fog  rose,  and  it  was  LJ pSt*^.?  JaVIh"  t 

fclSli'r  forS^^cCli'io'n.^.'  "^^  *-^^  pitied  US  if  ^ou  lis 
?o"y  llMUgfd  her  ■houldefrdtsdainfhltyy 


1^  mZS^  VH  ''****  i«  ^deservedly  puidwd.     It  wu  «ut 
^l*iti«nb,tK«fcr«amhilig  said  .r  done.     1  a- iiiJTSJS 


\ 


mvmt  ywntQ  bmsam  ahb  orma,  mam^    iSi 

ClMOB  knen  what  he  wMibooL  M.d  lenred  you  right.  %^'h«t 
gn  wcellcnt  oppwtunity  it  afforded  ytm,  Mr.  Fawe,  erf  tw7iin| 
l^night-errant,  »uccoring  beauty  in  distrcM.  1  thIiU  yonahonid 
feel  grateful  for  having  been  left."  r^.  ^ 

♦•Knight-errantry  went  out  of  Ikihion  with  Dob  Q^*^*! 
«nd  succoring  beauty  in  distreu— beauty  beina  exenrptaiW  b) 
Miu  Hautton— u  a  rd/*  1  shouldn't  care  to  muTjirtake.  V^ 
certain  circumsUnces,"  with  hia  eyes  fixed  on  Ihc  fac^  befcrfc 
isa,  **  1  can  (aacy  a  lifetime  spent  even  en  Lily  Islaad  inigM 

be  pleasant."  ^  ....  ^^ 

B^t  the  same  1  jok  given  her  now,  had  been  gnren  to  anotha 
yesterday,  and  she  met  it  with  a  ringing^augh : 

"  Don't  you  think,  undei  all  circumstance^  Mir.  Fane,  yon 
would  row  orer  to  the  mainbmd  after  twelve  hours  or  so,  tb( 
th*-  vulgar  bread  and  butter  of  evei^day  life,  finding  love  and 
liUes  pall  a  litUc  ?  No  i.^/orget  you  can't  row.  Takeleasons, 
fir,  before  you  go  on  a  water-party  again." 
"1  will  take  lessons  in  anything,  Misa  Mason,  if  yo«„wu 

tea''h  me."  «« ,  .  ,  *^ 

His  face  flushed,  hia  eyes  sparkled,  he  came  a  st«  nearw 
There  was  something  in  her  Oliver  to^lay  that  made  her 
hundredfold  more  bewitching  than  ever— a  sort. of  reckless 
defiance,  that  Ut  her  face  with  a  new,  bright  beauty. 

«•  I  have  better  use  for  my  tinae,  sir.     Instead  of  teafchin^  1 

am  going  to  be  Uught,  myselH     I  am  going  away  to  school 

«' Going  away  to  school!"  __ 

The  girl  laughed.     Coquetry  comes  naturally  to  most  pretty 

women,  and  PoUy  w»a  a  coquette  born.    Somehow,  to-day  she 

feli  as  though  she  irere  vAsUy  abovy  this  young  man— older, 

wiser— his  superior  , .      . ,     t.     

•af  1  had  said 'goinr to  Ifewgate,' you  eould  not  took  naow 

blank.  Yes,.  Mr.  Fane,  I  am  going  away-»-f oing  to  tchocl  ix 
liondon— no,  Brompton— for  the  next  two  ot  three  years. 

"  Two  or  threr  years  I ",,  "  ...  .    . 

He  did  look  bUnk.  the  possibiUty  of  het  ^fOMig  away  hari 
never  occurred  to  him.  He  had  not  given  the  matter  muci 
thought,  but  it  had  seemed  to  him  that  the  bright  nunmo 
montits  would  go  on  like  this,  in  pleasaj>t  i4|ennewt.  and  de 
lightfiil  sittings  for  his  picture.  Thr  end  must  come  some  tiin^ 
and  he  must  leave  this  girl  with  the  tawny  hair  and  lap- 


\ 


I  lay  a  golden  mist  of  l«»ng  delicions  days  and  w'ekft 
Aad  now  rfie  was  going  away,  and  there  broke  upon  AUw 


^\m\  '    ■^^•i>  slbi 


•kf^jj-'-s^^^'i: 


ill 


ite 


« - '  ->  %  - 


1^ 


her 


AUnft  Faae  was  in  lore  I    hT ^  "»» "lefTCBtCore  flSrtationg, 
hi  voice,  hi.  cif^Sfatt"  dTSJ^^"^  •  ■*^*?* '  '^»  ^y^ 

'        ^  to  be  gone     STn't  4^  tHTirTiL^^*  ready-^d  1  S 

fore  thanini^  '  *WP>«en  my  ve,y  existence  longbe 

"I  shall  never  foi^get  you ! " 

He  spMce  the  truth.     AUaa   Fane  n*Mr«.  a\a  ,  . 

Th^  hour  came  back  to  himTar,  Ser  ^*^J^.l°'^^  ^^' 
PMMJ  he  felt  then.  WeauTselfiS.  S-  ^?  wmething  pf  the 
tins  pam  of  loss  was  the^.n^  .    k       "'«*'*  ^'  »"d  ^^  but 

rinies  i^his  after  lif^^S  he^w  ht^^  JT  S""*^  *'^^''  '"*"> 
the  red  light  of  the  sunse?  on  ^7-  ^ut-^*'"/  ^**^"  a«ain  with 
«f,«^mf.5  humS'il^hTflS^"^?,"^  ^^'-^  ^«»eam, 

#5;^^  anotne, 

ta^7uet.te"?^^^^ 

«he  was  aware,  andbfld?JSr    "*  *=*"«^«  *»«' »»«d  befcw 

pompliments,  and  make  ^S^^rL  .    ^  ?*^  *'*^  ««  •« 
Mi-take  Aemas^S^^cSST*"  ^^u^"**^  '^ 


>. 


-~^:  \ 


^ 


(J*^ 


5'f 


i0pmi  rairrfc  due  am  and  otss^r  Tamos.    163 

•<  No  •*^  Polly  said  coldly— proudly— and  trying  to  wiUidraw 
her  hand.  .  ••  1  dare  say  you.<^/  car^for  her,  but  you  are  go 
iM  to  uiirry  her  all  the  same.  Y\tSk  let  go  my  hand,  Mr, 
Fane  ;  they,  will  see  you  from  the  house." 

•'What  do  I  care  if  they  do  ?  what  do  I  care  if  aU  the  woiW 
sees  nie  ?  "  He  was  quite  earned  away  now  by  the  cxcitenn^  Of 
the  chase,  and  his  face  was  flushed,  eager.  "  Forgive  »a«  Mli» 
Maion -Polly— if  anything  I  inadvertently  said  has  wonudcd 
pou.  Bclfeve  me,  1  would  offend  a  hundred  Miss  nauttOM 
woner  than'  lose  your  good  opinion." 

♦'  My  good  opinion  can  affect  you  neither  one  way  nor  tly 
i)ther.     You  are  a  gentleman,  f  am—"       ^  ^^  ' 

"A  lady,  by  Heaven,  if  1  ever  saw  oipl  ,y 

"  An  ignorant  country-girl,"  Polly  went  on,  a  tremor  now Ji6 
.  Iier  clear  tones,  apd  she  looked  far  away  at  the  cnrnjion  w«^t ; 
*"not   so  ignoran^  though,  as^to  be   deceived  by  looks /knd 
words  from  you.     Our  paths  he  apart— let  us  say  good-b^,  and 
neet  no  more."  •  / 

"  Polly  I  what  a  cruel  speech  I "  / 

«'A  sensible  one,  Mr.  Fane.  Let  me  go,  prw,'  ratha 
wearily.      "Seel    you    have  dropped   something  from  youi 

oock.6t " 

It  was  a  tiny  morocco  casket,  which  lay  at  his  fert.  He 
Dicked  it  up,  oi>ened  it,  and  took  out  a  ring  thjlt  blazed  in  the 
sunshine.  It  was  a  cluster-diamond.  The  next  mstant  he  had 
r--^ssessed  himself  of  PoU/s  hand,  and  the  shining  circlet 
ihone  on, one  slim  hnger.  ^         ; 

4Ie  lifted  the  hand  to  hii  Ups  and  kissed  it  passionately— foi 
the  first— the  last  tune  I 

♦«  Wear  It,  Polly,  for  I  love  you  ! "  , 

Alas  1  for  man's  truth  I     A  fortnight  ago  that  nng  ha<^ 
ordered  of  a  London  jeweller  to  fit  the  finder  of  Di«i* 
ton.     klemeanttoprb^downin  Lmcolnshire,.andtl 
CO  be  the  pledge  of  the  betrothal.     Only  an  hour  a^^o  the  Lon- 
ion  express  had  brought  it,  an^  here  it  gUttered  on  tte  fingei 

jf  Polly  Mason !  \«>«  .     .  •.      l  . x. 

Heaven  knows  what  fiirther  height  have  said,  what  wortI% 
vhat  piomises  might  hav^been  exchanged;  PoUj^t't  nav^ 
Kcome  Mrs.  Allan  rane,  perhaps,  and  this  story  n«ipv5/  »>««> 
^tren,  for  the  great  romance  of  this  young  wpmai\  s  life  you 


"^v^yertbIiear"urfatth1sir»ManT(5e^^^^^         by  tier  goai 
ing*^l,  no  doubt)  there  appeared  apon  ihe  scene  the  g|aunt  CwB. 
oifVoMuma.  ■ummoning  sharply  her  youthful  charge  in  to  teft. 


■i-  £\ 


\Sii&M.t. 


•^r 


«         "!.♦ 


i<4    £0Wi 


I>MAM  AffD  on 


■•^  '.-a 


^Squiw  or  high  SS!  thTtSt   "'^/our^liir  riw,  ol 


Jne  aforesaiu  Tri^kU  liatf 


td 


i4 '^^  (A»S?| 
"•yV*  her  heart  Ihrilling.    aSTmJ  thi 

*UKlified  artist  witlvh.!^^^^  **"  ^^'^^  »"l>ject  cf  thu 

■  Mid  he-*  only  to  «l»e»i™irL-,h^       I    rf*'  "^  ""gh-bo™ 

I   |r«facatijrBSjrs.to*;,e^b.::?^s*d^^ 

.       «  good  M^S^  **  '"^^  *"^«  to  «ay  tol^?; 
She  felt  tODiclffiiat  what  Duke  uid  wMHElHht  .tUl- 


•w  100^  a|  h^ nng  and^  lieart  thrilled 


■  \  \ 


bend 


■  /. 


lerrs  Youifis  dream  4^0  other  raiNfU.     ii{ 

MM  woKWf -wonli  no  fweet  to  jevery  girl'f  emi  and  iieaf(-«**  / 

livi  you  /" 

And  riieantiine  Mr.  Allan  Fane  walked  home,  and  on  tlw 
«ray  foufkl  oiit  he  had  been  mad,  and  a  fool.  What  had  h#^ 
done ?  /Given  up  all  the  hope»  of  his  life  for  a,'f»«'»ty  face  with 
Uue  ej/es.  Very  rnxxi  and  pleasant  things  in  their  way,  but  not* 
fcvaila&le  as  ready  cash  :  not  to  be  exchanged  for  good  dinner% 
iiorse^  opera  boxes,  ai^d  a  house  in  May  Fair.  What  had 
lie  ione  ?  Dire  alarm  hiled  him  as  he  walked  along ;  he  cursed 
iiB  oimfoHy  and  precipitancy  with  a  fervor  good  to  hear.  Wai 
it,  s^t^lSl,  too  late  yet  ?  He  had  not  asked  Mis»  Polly  ^fa■oll 
to  pc  his  wife.  .       J  J 

He  found  Nf iss  Hauttoii  walking  weanly  round  a^  round 

le  great  fish  pond,  and  joined  her  at  once.  '      . 

Miss  llauiton,  like  Miss  Mason,  informed  hinishe  was  going 

*»Montalien   bores   me,  I  find,"  the  lady  said,  carelesdA 
'«*more  this  year  even  than  usual,  and  the  Dncheis^of  Clanron-X 
aid  is  going  to  the  lulian  lakes,  and  urg^s  tae  to—"     A  dreaiy 
j'awn  finished  the  sentence. 
The  Duchess  of  Clanronald  I        ^^  , 

Her  grace  of  Clanronald  had  a  nephew — rather  an  mipover 
^ied  nephew,  who  had  made « hard  running  last  year  for  the 
Hautton  stake?.  No  doubt  he  would  go  to  the  Italian  I^es, 
too.  Starry  blue  eyes,  a  witching.  gyi>sy  face,  a  supple  form, 
and  sixteen  sunny  years,  are  very  well,  if  set  off  with  diamonds 
and  gilded  with  refined  gold.  He  couldn't  marry  Polly  Mason ; 
he  couldn't  turn  itinerant  pprtrait-painter  in  this  dull  town,  and 
merge  his  bright  individual  star  of  self  into  a  shabby-hatted,  rate- 
paying,  taj-fearing,  cradle-rocking,  family  man.  It  was  written — 
^was  his  fate — he  must  marry^  a  rich  wife  ;  and  so — alas  fcr 

Polly! 

Before  Mius  Hautton's  yawn  was  quite  ended,  he  had  poured 
lirth  the  Ule  of  hu  long  admiration,  and  implored  her  to  be  Lt 

fife!  ,      If) 

The  rp«y  llgWC  of^hifriran  went  down,  and  Diana  Hauttoii 
Offered  by  the  fish  pond  witl^,  h*?!  accepted  lover.     Hcf  accep* 

ted  lover  I  ^^ 

lie" was  pale  and  cold,  ana  tomething  inside  his  breast,  »htt 
<id  duty  for  a  heart  lay  like  a  stone,  but  he  lifted  ont  oTAi 
Honorabi<^  Di's  skijMCold  Hands  to  his  lips  and  kisseait'    Golfl 
M  diat  hand  was,  tm  touch  of  his  lips  seeme4  to  chiU  ^t 
.  910  l0olt«d  at  binit  wd  wondered  >t  his  paUfir.    ftff  oi 


,  >:,  <a 


'  «i 


-*.,v 


■'^y 


fTEinr  m»  woMA 


1^     MOW  gOBSRT  JlAVirK'SLE  / 

(^  • 

«««e  he  wa.  agiutcd;  he,ioved  her  so,  and  had  dreM-«! , 

/    They  entered  the  house  together  betrothed  a  >iat{.fi...i  «^;u 
on  AIiss  Hamton's  lips     Shi  aked  hSn  ver;,'^"^,  1^' 

larir^pe'rd.'"^^'-  -^^  '^^^^  ^  --t^  -p-^>*  s; 

^/AlnlfrlKi" n'  ""^  5  ^°""«  1^' '  y°""8".  f^«  even  Oia* 
«e  Honorable  Diana  Hautton,|tands  watching  that  rosv  U^ 

t^^^  '"ilLff  h'  ""'  ?"'^^"°'^  ^^^  diamond  ird'.ft 


"> 


1       CHAPTER  VII. 

t 

HOW  KOBKKT  HAWKSUtY  KWT  B^  WOIID. 

IT  ,^  the  third  day  after  Polly  Mason  stood  -it  tl« 
I  parlor  window,  looking  hstlessly  enough  up  arc  dowi 
the  deserted  country  road.  •  There  was  litU^  to  bJ 
»K  »  u  ^  seen^  there  were  few  abroad.  The  fine  June  ^x^ 
that  had  lasted  steadily  over  a  fortnight,  had  broken  uT-v« 
terday  ,t  hid  rained  aU  day  and  ^  nX  to^v  'iThS' 
ceased,  but  «ill  a  sullen,  leaden  sky  frownf  d  darSf  ou  a  ^ 
den  earth  and^^uddy  roads  and  lanes.  A  Weak  ronmla{^- 
wind.wailed  up  froi^the  sea  to  the  young  ^Tr^dieSr^ 
ail  seemed  the  very Jbomination  of  desolatil  VVunr  thL. 
jere  ,n  harmony-Rosanna  was  Uid  up  with  tootoS.  S 

Xirai^Xllan^Fa^fl^tr  "'  '^'  ''^^^'^^  ^^ 
wi  8pu;us,  anOAllan  tafle  "ud  never  once  been  near  tl  e  mt 

tage  since.     There  are  time,  in  aU  our  U/es  i^en  Ivei^ih^. 

loe.  wrong,  days  that   are   cold  and  dik  a^La^'^itj 

a»«»^«e™s  neitl^r  Joy  on  ..arth  nor  hppe  in^^^^'v**^ 

A.  V^u    u    ^^  ""*  ^''^^  "^'^  ^«  co^'^e  8mce~-that  was 
Ae  b^k  thougnt^uppermost  in  the  girl's  n„ndV^.*Jt^ 

Jwgv    "B«L-yai^hereto^y,"  was  hei  nr,t  titougS^^lS^ 

IJJi^^f-fter  ^e  had  giveh  her  the  ring.  anSl^r^TLT^ 

fc«l  glowed  with  such  a  new  bapd«n  nf  beauly'all  da "  SS 


V 


p. 


"  ■  ?.    ^  - 


s« 


BOW  ROBERT  HAVFKSLBY  KEPt    VIS   WORD.     167 


1 


Duke  andRosanna  had  looked  at  her  in  wonder,  and  feU 
clined  to  be  resentful  that  the  thought  of  leaving  tl  em  and  go- 
ing to  school  should  firo'duce  such  rai)ture.  A  fever,of  restless- 
ness held  her  all  that  day  and  the  next— a  (ever  that  burred  w 
her  eyes  and  on  her  cheeks,  and  took  away  appe:  te  and  reai. 
And  he  never  came.  Another  day,  another  night,  his  ring  stiil 
ladhed  upon  her  finger,  his  words  stiU  rang  in  het  ears,  his  kisi 
rtilJ  burned  on  the  hand  that  wore  the  diamond,  but  he  n-v« 
-Ame.  What  did  it  mean  ?  Was  he  ill  ?— had  he  gone  awa> 
raJdenly? — why  did  he  not  come?  Another  time  and  she 
ieoild  ha/e  put  on  her  hat  and  gone  up  to  the  bailing's  house— 
shj  would  be  sure  of  ascertaining  there ;  but  a  new,  strange 
timidity  had  taken  possession  of  Polly.  She  did  not  care  to 
stir  out — even  to  go  shopping  with  Rosanna,  fof  her  new 
clothes — heavenly  occupation  at  any  other  time.  She  just  wan- 
dered about  the  house — no  flying  footsteps,  no  trills  of  sonj,  no 
banging  of  doors,  no  breezy  rushing  up  and  down  suirs  all  day  , 
long.  The  restless  fervor  held  her,  but  she  said  nothing,  only 
waked,  strangely  quiet  and  docile. 

On  the  thir.d  day.,  reaction  and  lassitude  followed.  Rosanna 
was  cross  with  toothache,  Polly  worked  aboht,  and  listened  t« 
her  dreary  complainings  as  she  listened  to  the  sobbing  rain  and 
wind.  A  presentiment  of  evil  took  possession  of  her — sh<J  felt 
that  in  the  very  hour  he  had  told  her  he  loved  her,  Allan  Fane 
had  deserted  her  forever  I 

She  did  not  love  him— no,  the  surface  of  'Jie  lake  is  rippled  ■ 
^y  many  a  passing  breeze,  but  the  storm  that  stirs  it  to  its  very 
depths  comes  but  raicly.  She  did  not  love  him,  save  as  she 
loveQ  Ivanhoe,  Clive  Newcome,  and  Co.  He  was  the  hero  o< 
oee  fljf  her  net  stories — stepped  out  of  the  leaves  into  real  life 
—the  first  well-dressed,  well-looking,  well-mannered  young  man 
who  had  paid  her  attention.  Polly  wanted  to  be  a  lady — he 
could  make  her  that — he,  a  gentleman  who  had  taken  his  de-  - 
•|ree  at  Oxford,  the  friend  and  guest  of  l.ord  Montalien.  Had 
\^  beeiifaiihful,  he'  whole  heart  might  have  gone  out  to  him— 
MCh  a  gTeat,  loyal,  loving  heart,  as  she  cotild  have  given  !  But 
41  i»a»  her  girl's  vanity  tlyu  bled  now,  her  woman's  pride  wai 
ap  in  arms,  lie  had  taken  her  fancy — not  for  one  second  hei 
oang  of  loss  and  cruel  humiliation  was  ^hete  all 
|e  had  beeh  fouled,  and  she  was  inlxnsely  ptoud, 
itjSid  bitterly. 


^piusu^  hut  thi 
die  s^nieT 


•ndteit 

Shetu 

MHuiafd 


,    wearily  away  from  tne  window,  at  a  tall  from  Ro- 
>tton  wool  for  that  jumpin|(  toothache      "  And  if  it 


t 


I 


-mpv. 


■i' 


m     .: 


j68  Jfom  Ml 


''W"  '*^'. 


isLMY  rmr  ms  womb. 


.V^ 


■"rn  ffo  Bti^»  m^      1 1  "^  *"**•  ^^  »  vengeful  ffl«a. 
«|«ljmper,  the  housekeeper  at  Uie  Priory  '  "^ 

she  had  ever  seen  it       ^  ^-     °  *^  housekeeper,  than 

,  irhen  she  btoSPIid      !•„,  k        r.''  """  '^''^  P^  aud  pun. 
peaches.  mHea,  Xeh  1  t„„  °"«'l'  """  "'"'  l«l>ricots,'^„i 

PoUy  iha„kX^bm'^.^'^;fesVs™lriX  .r, "'  '^ 


iien  got  back  from  town 

/        ^   ^.  .      .^ 

»n<J.^vei3iAody  was  well 
'ut,ofco©ie,Polr«had 


■^1 


per?" 

r«?" . 

"No,  my  lord  had^wAgot  back  y, 
M  thereat  house.  <»^latest  newsi^ 

-No,  Polly  had  heanlnothirg.  thciJbrweart,.,  K-fu^*" 
ter  m  doois.  and  she  watf  Verv  h.,««jSiP^'^^**'  "***  M>« 

,ip  wding-schooi.  ^^i^:^'^;lf^ :^y  ^V>^f 

2  Her  heart  thrilled  as  she  !»  Sk«l  fh .•         «. 

|j^,was  news  o<^A4an  Fa^  F'^  ***^  ^^««^    She 


^^Hieriu  «^^ch;^^^:„r^  Hamp^aid;  folding  h,i  ^u? 


\ 


li^lt^cfe 


^i  ,-^1^    «  <tt-^-^^ijr    <A,T   •- 


f' 


^■^ 


.     MOW  MOBERT  BAWKSLBY  KKFT  fCtS  WOMIK     169 

ranng  as  she  was,  and  ncfcr  a  beauty  at  best  t  f  tinvis ;  ind 
he's  a  very  pleasant-spoken,  good  looking.yonng  ger.ileinan,  and 
free  of  his  money,  I'll  say  that  J  c  hun,  and  the  family  ts  mUrn', 
•ndf  if  s  been  looked  forwaid  to  this  seme  time.  He  proposed 
to  her  on  Tuesday  hevenitg  last,  and  he's  going  to  ha*:compaBji 
her  to  Hitaly  shortly  for  the  July  aad  Haugust  months." 

The  housekeeper  paused  for  breath,  her  eyes  fixed  canouslf 
m  Polly's  face.  Was  it  altogether  to  deliver  the  fruit  M<* 
Hamper  had  stepped  out  of  her  way,  to  visit  Mr.  Mason's  ?  \\ 
was  no  secret  in  the  servants'  hall  at  the  Priory  how  Mr.  Fane 
was  running  afker  litUe  Polly  Mason,  br  that  Miss  Hauttoa 
was  jealous.  She  liked  PoU^  this  fat,  fiiir,  and  forty  Mrs. 
Hamper,  but  she  looked  with  expectant  eagerness,  at  the  same 
:  time,  for  some  sign,  some  token,  some  cry  of  pain.  There 
^ wits  none.  The  pale  face  kept  its  tired  look,  the,  long,  dark 
lashes  veiled  Ihe  blue  eyes ;  Mr.  Allan  Fane  might  have  been 
Mr.  Julius  Oesdr,  dead  and  gone,  for  all  emotion  that  still  face 

and  form  showed.  ,         ,     . .        t.     «   1    u « 

Duke  looked  at  her  too,  in  wonder  and  pnde  at  her    pluck. 
«<  Blood  wiuA"  ^  thought ;  "  she's  like  her  mother— ready 
lo  die  game  1" 

'       The\ngagement   has   been  publicly  announced  then?" 
anna  said.    "  WiU  they  be  married  soon— wiU  the  wedding 
_   it  the  Priory?"  V     ^  ,  , 

'"<Mfear,  no;"  answered  Mrs.  Hamper;  "they  wont  be 
nairlSKre— in  London,  most  likely,  next  spring ;  but  of 
O0iine>  nothink  of  that  is  settled  yet  Mr.  Fane  wiU  wait 
until  my  lord  coices  home  and  speaks  to  him  as  M»:js  Haut- 
ton's  nearest  relative;  though  the  young  lady's  quite  hold 
enough  to  h&ct  for  herselt  I  say  again  if  s  a  great  matchfoi 
him  -honly  a  poor  hartist— a  hearl's  granddaughter,  and  Aree 
thousand  a  year." 

An  eail's  granddaughter,  ^d  thf-e  thoosand  a  year  U 
Polly  had  thou^t  he  was  in  love  with  her,  and  wo^ 
charmed  to  hear  of  her  seven  hundred  pounds  I  A  crushing 
sense  of  her  own  insignificance,  poverty,  ignorance,  low  buth, 
Itunnln9%er.  What  a  litUe  fool  she  had  been  not  to  know 
from  the,  first  he  had  been  only  amusing  himself  with  hei 
■mplicity  and  vanity  I  She  clenched  the  hand  that  held  Uie 
qng  firmly  but  unseen,  and  her  face  stiU  kept  its  uitermdiffe^ 
^ce.  He  had  proposedl>h  Tuesday  cveiiiiK  and  on  I'ue^j 
afternoon  he  had  told  her  he  loved  her,  and  had  given  her  thai 
ifa^    He  had  gone  straight  from  her  to  MiM  HHattODt  ana 


#,. 


j-iiiAi 


.mB... 


•jSm^r 


I70  ifow  xoBBJtr  jiA  irjrszjs  v 


9SS  WIUUK 


•  /•  I 


t.,. 


•deed  her  to  be  his  wife,  and  they  had  ladghed  together,  mo« 
hkely  over  the  love-scene  witli  the  country|irl-^t?e  S  coT 
ceued  rustic  so  easily  gulled!  Traitor!  cSraid!  TV  ^S. 
Jiil%r*  ^''^"/^-i^  looks  had  been  lightning,  and  AlS; 
Fane  there,  he  had  never  left  tbe  house  alive. 

iJl'^t^T^'''  "^  ^^^  K°'  ^'"»*  *  ^^'^  disappointed  She 
lad  look -d  to  see  anger,  mortification,  sorrow  on  Polly  Mason'a 
»ce,  and  she  had  seen  nothing.     The  girl  had  beard  the  newi 

hall  were  unfounded  after  all.     It  was  quite  clear  tiat  PoUv 
f^had  sense,  and  thought  nothing  about  him.  ^ 

ouL    ''i^^*'?™^*"'^''  ?^  P*?'''^  '*^y  ^°  ''^^  ^°or,  and  saw  he. 
out     When  he  returned  to  the  parlor  he  found  Polly  sitting  in 

f/r  T'l  ^"I?^/'  ^^'  ^^^^  lying  wearily  back,  her  eyes  closed 
her  hands  folded,  so  unlike  herself  ^      ^^^ 

Kud.^il.r,"r'"\!''  ?^  '^y^''"™  '^"^«^^'  Duchess?"  Duke 
ff  .T^         T^'  ^l^*^  pause-so  gently  he  said  it.     He  was 

Jf!f^  ^\"^;"  *"y  ^*y'  '^^  *^  "«^<^^  'panted  to  mar^ 

^l^^J,'"    i'  *1^  ',  5^"*  I^^  '*""*^  prescience  now,  he  knew  jS 

js  well  how  his  little  gul's  heart  was  bleeding,  «  though  the 

f  loved  and  lost "  business  had  been  as  familit  to  hiS  he 

^raping  of  his  violin.     "They're  bringing  out  a  new  comedv 

/«  three  acts :  'The  Prince  of  Pipesandbeersbad,^pd  the  e's  a 

/screaming  farce  to  foUow,     Come,  and  have  a  good   lauah 

/  before  you  go  to  Miss  Primrose  and  the  blackboard  "  ^ 

/    .^^  he  girl  looked  up  at  him  with  a  kind,  grateful  glance 

Wisdom-tooth  stops  aching."  r  ^^  •"«  uw 

The  scene-painter  went  back  to  his  work. 

m,nmrr™ll"   !i-    '*?*"!!?*>   "«»»«.  doesn't  care  for    the 
S^ili.  w     °*  0'<lwarily  of  a  pugilistic  nature,  and  don't, 
Sun  F?n      "^  "W.P««OM  rise,  but  \i  I  could  give  Mr 
Allan  Fane  a  sound  kicking  on  the  first  occasion.  I  think  it 
would  do  us  both  good !  "^^  "^.^--««n,      uuuk  h 

Rosanna  went  to  bed,  groaning  dismaly.     PoUy  took  hei 

^r^.r^  ?'/°r  ^y  f*^  '^"^°''-  Thi  wind  gJew  wild«^ 
tt«  leaden  sky  darker  as  the  afternoon  wore  on,  the  rain-diom 
D*gan  pattenng  once  more  against  tne  glass.  And  in  the 
jwing  girl  s  breast,  as  she  sat,  her  needle  flying,  a  sharp  and 
ttueipam  ached     She  had  been  fooled  deceive  J.  laugfa^^ 

£llS&'  ^""l^^^  perfect  fai^  in  man  or  woSun^ 
^  Had  loit  lomething,  the  nef&Ue  bloom  of  perfect  innoconoe 


li 


*.'„. 


!,■;  ■/' 


MOW  KOBEftT  HAWKSLAY  KMFT  HIS  WORD,     £/! 

ind  chOdlike  trupC  *nd  Allaa  Fanes  was  the  hand  diat  had 
bnuhed  It  off.     ^  ^  -,     "  ,.  ^    .      i 

"  How  dare  he  1  how  dj^e  Vf  the  thought,  her  httle  han* 
dencMng  again ;  'UkjW  dare  he  trifle  with  me  so  1 " 

She  sat  Ih^rtfTor  over  an  hour,  her  anger  rising  taA  •wfUnMj 
with  every  instant.  The  rainy  twilight  was  falhng,  when  »wl 
denly  there  came  a  knock  at  the  door.  She  knew  that  knock ; 
ber  work  dropped,  but  before  she  could  rise  the  door  wmi 
opened,  and  the  visitor,  hat  in  hand,  walked  in.     He  had  coni« 

at  last  I  Q 

Allan  Fane  stood  before  her,  his  nght  summer  overcoat  wet 
with  rain,  his  high  riding-boots  splashed  with  mud,  pale,  ^alei 

than  herself !  ■  ,,         .  ij 

Why  had  he  come  ?  He  could  not  have  told  yoo  he  could 
not  stay  away,  though  he  dreaded,  coward  that  he  was,  to  face 
her  I  He  had  given  her  up,  basely,  weakly,  selfishly,  but  he 
must  look  once  more  into  those  matchless  blue  eyes,  though 
the  fiery  scorn  of  their  glances  slew  him.  And  perhaps,  too. 
he  thought  she  might  not  know  the  truth.  He  could  not  stay 
away.  It  might  be,  it  must  be,  the  last  time,  but  once  agam 
*^he  must  look  upon  the  lovely  face  of  Polly  \fason  ! 

*  His  first  glance  at  her,  as  their  eyes  met,  told  him  she  kne« 
,  all  She  rose  up  and  stood  befoie  him  I  Even  in  the  fading 
light  he  could  see  the  streaming  fire  in  her  eyes,  the  sojrnful 
cnrl  of  her  handsome  lips.  The  regal  grace  of  mien  that  vm 
this  girl's  chief  charm  always,  had  never  been  half  so  uj  lifted 
as 'now  1     She  spoke  first— he  could  not  have  uttered  a  »  ord/ 

"You  have  come  for  my  congiatulations,  Mr.  Fane, '  /«M 
began  in  a  clear,  ringing  voice,  that  had  neither  quivt^  no« 
tremor  in  it  "I  hear  you  are  engaged  to  the  Honorable 
Diana  Hautton.  Well !  you  have  them  !  It  is  an  emmeully 
Buiuble  match  in  every  respect :  age,"— with  cruel  empbaas*-- 
"birth,  fortune,  rank,  and  all!" 

He  looked  at  her  with  horrar-«tnick  eyes.  What  did  sh* 
mean  by  that  stinging  sneei  ?  Did  she  know  of  that  Bond 
Street  shop?  Oh,  impossible  I  it  wa»  but  a  random  shot  that 
hid  hit  home.  ^v 

"It  is  not  eyeryda^i 
tiut  stung  him,  "  tliat  tn< 

ttoaity^rflMtfryinfr 


dwt,  Mr!  Fane  1 "  with  a  scomftil  laugh 
joo  wctt  so  carefully  guarded  I     Uut 


led  Miss  Mason,  with  a  smile 
of  a  london  tailor  gen  an  op- 
randdaughter  I     Ah  1  you  feel 


"  1  know  your  seoteir 
don't  be  alarmed.     1 


i 


I 


y" 


F-     k    ' 


■«|/:,  _r-_:si«^^.  -- 


/ 


173    JWIT  MOMEXT  HAWKSUtY  KEP'f  WIS  WOMA 

devotedly  u  she  ii  attached  «»  yoa,  the  mignt  ;fit  ^xm  if  ihi 
knew  it  I  won't  tell,  Mr.  Fane,  and  I  wjsh  you  ev'.ry  happi 
ness  so  suitable  a  lAatdi  d^^rvrs — if  the  poor  scene-paintei'l 
poor  relation  may  presume  to  offer  congratulations  to  a  gentle* 
man  of  Mr  Fane'K  sunding  I  And  this  ring,  which  yon  m 
kindly  forced  upon  my  sxceptance  the  night  before  list,"  her 
.  foice  fallRred  for  the  first  time,  *-pe«nit  me  to  return  it.  1| 
m  haven't  purchased  an  engagement  ring  for  Miss  Hautton  I 
\ut  say  you  might  make  this  answer," 

He  bioke  down.  He  was  of  a  weak  nature,  impressionable 
M  wax,  but  as  strongly  as  it  was  in  his  nature  to  love  any  on» 
Oat  hiffiself,  he  loved  this  girl. 

>  He  broke  doWn  as  a  woman  might — his  face  hidden  in  his 
han^s     his  voice  faltering,  and  asked  her  to  forgive  hii.i. 

She  stood  and  looked  at  him — rage,  -wounded  pride,  humilia- 
tion, scorn,  pity,  all  in  her  glance.  If  she  had  never  been 
beautiful  before  «he  was  beautiful  in  this  moment.  0  * 

"  Forgive  ybu,"  she  repeated,  and  the  hard  ring  died  out  ol 
her  voic2  and  a  great  pathos  followed.  "  You  ask  me  to  for 
give  you  !    Well,  Mr.  Fane,J^  will  try.     It  is  not  that  l^ar^sfoi 

tou  much — no,  Allan  Fane,'^!  know  now!  never  cared  for  you 
ut  you  ha.ve  hurt  pie  ail  the  sajne.     I  shall  never  have  the 
tame  faith  in  mankind  again— I  seem  to  have  lost  my  youth  in 
- .  4»e  moment  it  became  mine.     You  have  acted  badly  to  me— 
"  badly !  ba«ily !  "—the  fire  that  can  only  M^e   in   bhie   eyes 
flashed. from  hers  now— "but  I  will  &y  ind  forgive  you  tf  I 
can.     Take  your  ring ! "  ■      -^ 

"  I  cannot,  oh,  Polly  f "      •       m  ,    * 

She>fiung  it  at  his  feet  in  a  niddeh  umpcst  of  taty-^thf^ 
quick  fury  of  a  very  child.  Sp 

"Don't  ever  call  me  Polly— iiow  darS^u  do  it?-   Take 
fdUT  riM  this  moment  or  I  will  walk  straight  out  of  this  house 
HP  tcr  the  Priory,  ^nd  tell  Miss  Hautton  every  word  !     Aiid , 
four  books,  and  your  drawings  —here  they  are — everything  yOu  ^- 
ever  gave  me,  except  the  lowers,  and  those  I  threw  into  the   ' 
ire  an  hour  ago.     Take  them,  I  command  you,  Mr.  Fan« ! " 

What  could  he  do  but  obe>  ?  He'  was  afraid  of  her  in  tnat 
tout— afraid  of  her  even  if  ^le  had  hot  knbwn  his  Secret,  «it 
±$i  ma4p  him  her  abject  slAve.  He  took  the  ring,  he  took 
|he  linte  package,  and  a  Very  soriy  figure  the  conquffrinjt  heti  * 


S'-.V-i 


*    «< 


-xvt  in  the  hour  of  histn^ph.     It  strucK  Poll/d  sense  oF  IST 
.todifrous.*    In  all  uigedies  do  not  the  eiemeKts  of  the  lidicO' 
hrat  linger?  and  she  btttf^  aut  Uughing,  with  tbicjf^^imm 
tMn  iliJl  in  hier  ejret.  '    *  .  iM~ 


i0     , 


:*■! 


f' 


;* 


u. « 


>.. 


m9W  MOMEMT  HaWKSLM.  1^  kBPt  MIS  WOMA.     if^ 


S'^.v 


iV 


'*  Yon  locfk  like  a  colpoitear  going  his  rounds  widi  tracts 
Don't  let  me  ^tain  you  an  insUnt  longer,  Mr.  Fane ;  Miss 
llantton  may  want  you.  Vou  have  had  yoi  r  sport :  and  a 
verdant  little  countiy-girl  has  helped  while  awa)  a  >;imimei 
holiday,  so  there  is  po  need  to  linger  now;  I  have  ton^rttu 
bted  you,  and  given  ydfi  >our  "l»elonging%  back,  and  non  tkc 
•Doner  we  say  g9od-by  the  better." 

She  made  him  a  bow— Miss  Hautton  could  never  have  sm 
passed  it,  in  graqe  or  insolence,  and  walked  straight  out  jf  thi 
room.     And  Allan  Fane  left  th«*  house,  and  coming  to  th» 
garden  well  flung  his  bundle  of  books  to  the  bottom.     Ht 
i  might  have  flung  the  ring  aftei:vbut  diamond  rings  cosj,  and —  - 
•no  so  he  put  it  in  his  pocketj  and  went  back  to  his  high-borc^ 
bride.     And  an  hour  after  he  placed  it  on  her  finger,  and  Di 
ana  .deigned  to  say  she,  thought  it  "  rather  pretty." 

Duke,  from  his  upper  window,  saw  the  young  man  com* 
a»d  go,  and  waited  anxiously  for  supper-time  and  a  pretext  to 
gu  uownstairs. 

'  Rosanna's  afRicted  molar  also  gave  over  aching  about  that 
tmie,  and  the  brother  ancl  sister  met  in,  the  small  dming-roona. 
■*.     Polly  had  got  tea — the  uble  was  set,  the  toast  buttered,  the 
tanip  Ht,  the  kitchen  stove  bumirU;  cheerily.     Fdr  the  girl  her 
ielf  she  jvas  quite  white,  quite  *ftill,  jusery  silent,  and  the  blue 
eyes  looked  weary  and  heavy.     She  waj  more  womanly  ftian 
Duke  had  ever  seen  herr but  he  sighed  as"he  looked  at  her. 
«•  I  suppose  she's  better  so,"  he  thought ;  "  q«»-i  «md  young 
ly-liks  ;  but  1  think  I'd  sooner  have  my  wild  btclr  girl  play- 
J  FisheVs  Hornpipe  on  the  fiddle^  «r  even  Singiu^  '  The  night 
'  bdore  Larry  was  stretched.' "  • 

Rosamia  noticed  the  pale  cheeky  the  silecu,  «ni  th«  Uc^k 
ofap|H.tite,  '.A 

"That  child  is  "growing  bilipoi,"  tM^lrttr  lady  lemarked. 
widi,her  strong  glare  fixed  on  shrinktfig  Pully,  "or  about  tfi 
have  an  attack  of  jaundice.  People  iwyays  tiim  green  antf 
fiU)  into  low  spirits  before  jaundice.  *tJU  ymi  feel  a  genera) 
(iiiking  all  oter,  Polly,  and  an  inclination  to  cry?" 
'  Poj^fy  looked  at  Diike  |ild  burst  on*  Itughing-^rathei  hyiter 
loUly^ihough.       <  . 

•'1  don't  feel  the  least  inclined  tw  -ly,  Ro«anna,^ank  you, 
^l^«fli.lj  d«jfi*ntly,  arid  her,  eyes  had  a  dry,  tearless  glitter.    **  I 
•iBow  what  yoB  ^wiSTtuFyou  shaA't  ii^hize:  me     I  VonT" 
lake  Herb-tea,  or. hot  1>aths,  or  vegettfBle  pills, jor  any  of  the 
jpa  lUte  <v  diendi  poor  sick  |iMnrti4l  ^n*)'^     l^  "** « 


..\ 


i 


jK. 


ii'» 


•Mr^ 


#'■ 


* 


0 


'•V 


»■», 


:!^ 


U 


/74    BOW  X03£»r  WA^i'K'^KMy  Jf^MPr  ffis  muUK 

She  left  the  reom  as  the  spoke.     Duke  looked  wistfully  -Jtm 
her. 

"I-et  her  alone,  Rosanna,"  he  rep^Jited,  "ifs  the  best  thin^ 
f3U  can  do.     I  know  what  s  the  naatter,  and  herb  tea  won't 
cure  her.     She  is  fallen  into  low  spirit*,  as  you  remarked,  and 
t'U  Wke  her  to  see  our  funny  new  piece  at  the  Lyceum,  to 
&%hit,  to  freshen  her  up  a  bit" 

It  rained  still,  but  PoUjf  never  uunded  rain,  and  taktT.f 
Duk  :'s  arm  went  with  him  to  the  little  Speckhaveh  theatre 
She  had  delighted  in  the  theatre  hitherto,  before  Lord  Mon- 
ialien  and  ,iis  guests  hsid  come  down  to  disturb  the  current  of 
»er  serene  life,  but  to-night  she  looked  at  the  glittering  stage 
lamps,  the  tinselled  dresses,  the  rouged  faces,  with  apathetic 
eyes. 

"  The  Prince  of  Pijaeaaadbeersbad"  was  a  very  fat  and  funny 
Volentate  indeed,  who  kept  th*-  Speckhavenites  in  roars  for  two 
luiirs,  but  the  figures  on.  the  stage  fluted  before  tha  young 
girls  gaise  like  puppets  ift  a  magic  lantern.  She  sat  virith  her 
hands  folded,  no  light  in  her  ej^es,  no  color  on  her  cheeks,  hei 
thoughts  far  away — far  away.  Once,  and  once  only,  she 
aroused  herself.  Eliza  Long,  taken  to  the  play  by  the  haber- 
dasher's young  man,  watched  that  altered  face  with  vicious  de- 
light, and  when  the  curtain  was  down  made  her  way  over  to 

JPolly's  seat  for  a  little  friendly  whisper. 

r^  "  How  d'yfe  do,  Polly^isn't  it  awful  droll  ?  I've  been  dying 
to  see  you,  do  you  knpw,  to  find  out  if  the  news  I've  heard  be 
true  But,  of  course,  it  can't — being  so  took  up  as  he  was 
with  you— I  meap  Mr,  Allan  Fane,  the  artist.  William  Shanks, 
thaf  ri  one  of  the  footir.en  at  the  Priory,  you  know*  told  pa  he 
was  engaged  to  Miss  Hautton." 

Polly  lifted  her  quiet  eyes  td  the  other's  spiteful  ones,  and 
snswered  slowly  : 

•'  1  don't  know,  Eliza— I'm  not  acquainted  with  Mr.  William 
iharks,  footman  at  the  Prioiy ;  my  acquaintance  doesn't  he 
in  tWe  servants'  hall  Is  hrs  the  tall  footman,  or  th^  very  taV 
ft)ctrinan — who  has  Seen  paying  Attention  to  you  since  the 
funiiv  came  down  ?  As  to  his  nformation,  that  so't  of  people 
are  generally  pretty  correct  in  ».heii  news  regarding  their  nut- 
ters. In  this  instance  he  happens  to  be  perfectly  right.  Mr. 
Fane  was  at  our  house  in  aHfriendly  way,  as  usual,  this  afker- 


~  noon,  Tuid-we  hadTTxharuvier  the  Trran^r — He  is  eil^^  tf" 
MiM  Hauttonil^d  they  are  going  to  Italy  Ibr  the  Bumn^B|B4 
will  bt  majrriM  aevt  May  in  London.     Is  there  anyt^QnB* 


ill 


(i'l  ■'■ 


and 


■I 

JOir  KOMEJtr  BA  WKSLR  Y  iCEPT  SIS  ^^    }  7% 


ran  would  Uke  to  know,  Eliza  becauw  I  niight  ipj^ire  of  Jfr. 
Kne.  who  would  probably  be  even  more  correct  Jian  VU. 
Calve*— no,  Shank*— the  footman  1 "  ^    ,  ...      ^i    „^!^ 

^SdThen  Miss  Mason  turned  her  back  dehbeia  ely  up« 
If  in  Long,  who  renimed  to  her  seat  worsted,  as  she  always  waf 
b  an  encounter  with  PoUy.  but  rejoiciiif.  •     «  u-  a.     '^ 

^d  meanwhile  at  the  Prionr  itt  lorf  had  »mved  by  A  i, 
wren  o'clock  train,  bringing  with  him  a  ^^^^'^^Ff' ^^ 
mm,  with  a  legal  look.  He  was  legal-l»e  was  Mr  Gnpper,  oj 
Sefirm  Gripper  &  Grinder,  Lincoln's  Inn,  London;  and  he 
»d  Lord  Montalien  were  closeted  together  on  important  bu«^  ; 
wss  for  some  time  after  their  arrival.  Mr.  Gripper  emerged  at 
i^,  and  was  shown  to  his  room.  He  was  staying  over  nighty 
*  seemed ;  and  Mr.  Fane  was  shown  mto  the  hbr^ry,  where 

"  The*l:St*'ains  i*ere  drawn,  the  lamps  shone,  whUe  outside  the 
rain  fell  and  the  black  June  night  shut  down.  Hy  lord  sat  in 
Ss  great  arm-chair,  neir  a  writing-table,  stanng  m  a  dazed 
Vrt^f  way  at  the  lamp  before  him.  His  usually  placid  fa^e 
wore  a  st^nge  expression,  half  perplexity,  half  dismay.  Fox 
Mr  Fane,  as?he  servant  ushered  him  in,  he  too  looked  pale  and 
stranKdy  disturbed,  and  both  were  so  absorbed  in  their  own 
Lughte  Aat  neither  noticed    the  expressioit^  Qf  the  other'. 

*^Mr  Fane  took  a  seat  opposite,  lookitig  sijgularly  nervous 
-ndt-ed.  1  am  given  to  understand  by  maspuline  friends  who 
havcTdone  the  business,  that  asking  the  consent  of  a  yotmg 
Udy's  papa,  or  guardian,  is  -nuch  more  disagreeable  than  ask- 
Ke  you  rig  lady  herself.  Mr.  Fane  had  got  through  his  part 
"^?h  Mirnlutto^n  glibly  enough,  ^^±^^:^'^^^S. 
Lien  was  the  merest  matter  of  form  mil,  like  Macoera  • 
ie"' die  words  "  stuck  in  fci.  throat"^^  Lord  MontaheJ 
wrench^  his  thoughts  away  froni-his  own  absorbing  topic  with 
M  St  effort,  and  Ustened  with  bland  suavity  to  the  yoanf 

man's  stivnbling  words.  *  » a     w „  ,i*«. 

'       "  Wish  to  warry  Diana,  and  ask  my   consent?     My  deal 
boT.  my  consent  is  quite  unnecessary,  as  you  know.    Very  cor 
fS  of  you,  though;  to  come  to  me.     Of  couise,  I  have  1^ 
Ee^^rthis.  anra.  Diana  seems  plea.sed,  Insincerely  offio 
wa  my  congratuUtions.     There's  some   trifling  disparity  ol  , 
W  tw^ww  but  you  -know  the  Scotch  ha>r  a  >i»yinfc„ 
^  IX  hx  the  wife  to  be  the  elder  brings  luck  to  thd  house 
Mr.  Fane  aaid  nothing  but  he  looked  somewhat  ruefal     \W 


#     ♦ 


IS 


.v 


•JfT.. 


"Aj: 


■^r 


i;6    fOW  MOBBHT  B  WKSf^V  ickpT  ms  WOBD 

\  ■ T^* 


»d  have  the  ••  tnflmg  disparity  "  on  the  other  side. 

«.-.^^i       ?^  1°"'  approval,  njy  lo|4,M»e  said,  ming.  ••  and 
aiay  connder  all  things  settled  ?  "  \  "^»     mw 

,-       "  You  have  my  approval  and  DesJ:  wishes     Diana  ii  certaJRJi 

!^X?fn''  "^^  ^^'  herself -^n  the  youn^^a  ".Sl^ 
and  her  income,  as  you  must  kix>w,  dies  with  hei.    By  the  bt 
r«ne.— changing  his  voice  with  abruptness— ."you  laixedj 
pod  deal  amon,  the  people  at  the  ftW  Uie  other  Zy,  indli 
know--wa?  ther«  a   man  by  the  nahie    of-of  Trowel-^ 

XS,  vlTT'TJ^  ^^^^'''^  "  ''"•^  "P«"  ^»^*»  «^ca««n  ?" 
Allan  Fane  sta-f;d,  more  nervously  than  before. 

I  here  is  a  mac  by  the  name  of  Mksoh  living  about  three 

,  mfles  from  here.     Jifawn  i,  a  common  pame,  however  •  th^H 

may  be  many  Mawm  in  Swsckhaven.".  "^       ^      '       " 

M^  '^Z\''"'^'     '^^1  ^"^  ^  ""=*"  »  called  Marmaduke 
MMon,  and  has  a  m^dcn  sister,  Rosambn.iL-Rosalind-nQ 

^^:^'^'  ^°  "^"^"^  ^--  f^  -upat,on  ^a 

."?^*u'?^"*"'"'y^**-     Y«»»IkiAhim." 
And  he  has  a  ward— sh«  passes  forlus  cAusin  a  irirl  of  siji 
teen— called  Polly  ?  "  /C     *'^"'"*' ■  6»*^*  o» '«• . 

Had  Lord  Montalien  not  Neen  so' engross<^  by  his  tablets* 
jod^estions  he  must  have  .^ticed  ^^.  Fane's^ttly  cSl' 

"Yes,niylord,therei8aP61VMaTOn:!"  * 

VThaf s  the  girl! •'    HiA lordf h-p  shut  up  his  tablets  with  a 
toumphant  snap.     «  Now.whaf  s.he  like  ?     lU  iST my  We  shS 

ii."  «;?K  ''**"'1.'«»«  yoiu-f^atake,  ther;,my  lord,     ^iss  Mason  ' 
tt.    with  soinething  of  an  iffort  he  saic'  this,  "one  1  the  ve«* 

^•^"?t  ffV-T'  'Sah^  "'^^'^  ^^••-•^  °^^r  'ife" 

worsfforl      AnK^"   IpnJship  sighed    resignedly  ;V' all  the 
J^^l/  In     -k"^  h«re.ft«^l  ward  with  a  jnub  nose.  Would  U) 

«mJ  «ghty  thousand  pouncte  to  her  fortune  I    Ah,  weE  m,^ 

•S.^ir^/?."'^  tnartyrdom-this  is  onlv  the  list  straV  tS! 
^likely  wUl  break  the  camel's  back  I "  \ 

^^^AUan  Fane  looked  at  the  speaker  with  a  >:«  of  gli^tlf  > 

"My  lord ';  hft  Mjfl.  »  r  dnn-t  undai.Uu.U. 


I 

'  ,* 

' 

\ 

tu 

1                             V 

tt 

i 

b< 

•i 

t< 

i 

X 

'.« 

- 

P 

f 

r 

' 

a 

s 

I 

f 

;■,    ,        — ^jf      "•■*M_^       filf— Tfitlaf         J    Ml f fit     UPClgrB»'™*1fi— —     y^Wllii    ■■■■■laaa     ■■■" 


«K 


^l* 


'^■^.' 


#. 


^ 


\ 


m 


-t^ 


inW  nOSRRT  HAWKSLRY  KhPT  Bti  WOU>. 

"  My  good  momr  I-oni  MontaHen  said  plaintively.  '^Aj^ 
DO  Jung  of  the  kind.  She  is  my  ward,  ^d  she  has  ^^ 
thousand  pounds  at  this  moment  deponted  tn  the  firnds  «w  h« 
benefit  No,  dont  look  so  unplonngly-if »  «»  ^"f  »  "g»2 
to  teU  TOO-    Therrs  the  dressmg-bcU-you  snsB  alT hear  U  al 

hI  uose.  Allan  Fane  quitted  the  room,  and  went  up  tj 
us  <mn.  He  did  not  seek  htt  affianccd-he  was  agtast  with 
.^odlTand  alann.  What  did  it  mean?  Eighty  thousand 
Miand3  and  Folly  Mason  I  \      .  u  w 

The  gr>:ai  bell  clanging  high  up  in  the  ^?^ ^^^}^,i^^^ 
past  seven,  inforn^-ed  Speckhaven  and  its  "^^"a"  »,^*;  °?? 
tord  and  his  family  were  about  to  dme.  Lord  Montalien  took 
advantage  of  a  few  minutes  before  gq^ng  m  to  dinner,  and"  pre- 
sented  his  congratulations  to  his  cousin  Diana  on  tfTuJterest. 
ing  episode  in  her  life.  Mr.  dripper  brought  up  tWe^rearcl 
the  dinner  procession  with  Gpy.^nd  wa^  mtroducad  t^tbe 
oUier  people  around  the  table.  ,      .'  «  *.:„ 

"  He  doesn't  look  like,  the  harbmger  of  romance  or  a  to 
godfather,  or  anything  of  the  kind."  Lord  Montalien^. remark^ 
» nevertheless  he  is.  He  comes  to  inform  a  M«?  .jo^j^-jj 
of  sixteen  that  she  is  my  ward,  and  heiress  »[  %hty  thouwnC 
pounds.  Do  any  of  you  beside  Fane  know  hei^?  H^rf  name 
af  present  is  Polly  Mason!"  u^    j    .«<i  i««. 

1  ord  Montalien   glanced  arourid  his  own  bdard,  and.wat 
somewhat  surprised  at  the  sensation  the  very  CO"*nW»^ 
naiue  of  a  very  commonplace  young  person  orated.     D«na 
Hautton  started,  and  turned  an  icy  look  upon^h||  »ojJ'-tt»; 
gemlen.an  fixed  his  eyes  "?<>«  his, plate  and  seemed  dowg 
petnfying-^Guy  suppressed  a  whistle  and  looked  unuttenMite 
-    bi^gs-!nd  4p^y  Charteris'  spoon  dropped  into  he^  «,up. 
rilit-    ^^\h  a  aalh— Francis  Eirlscourt  w|8  eagerly  interested, 
ind  Sir  Vane.  Jter  one  steady  look  at  his  paUid  suid  startied 
1  composure  fot  the  peer's  next  words. 
I  his  lordship,"  you  all  look  as  if  you  Jne^  »«• 
feted  before  1  begin,  how  will  yon  be  UmUedDo- 
K„e  1  nave  Rn,4hed?    Shall  1  go  back  and  begih  »»  jj*  ^^ 
ning  wuh  ihisfomance  of  real  life,  as  the  Penny  Heral4  caDi 
rt.>.  light«nng-a|d-thunder  serials?    Yes,  I  iviir?  .    _ 

Lord  MOntilicii  pushed  away  his  souft  leaned  back  m  BM 

'    ,  hearers.   •       ■ 


ftifc,  waited  wi^ 

"  VVell,^'  saic 

Being  so  ifttere 

'fore  1  have  fihl 


tfiyir  and  befan  tq  '•  tiirilL 


"MeTjust  linwfi  reals  ago, on  the  •«=°^^-r- " 


nm^ 


'y' 


> 


<f  ■<•  '^ 


'  f-- :&■ 


i^>l 


I. 


178     trow  MOBEAT  ffjIlFJCSLEy  KEPT  HlSWOiUf! 

Of  the  profound  regrrt  ««th  wbich  I  left  America.  I've  nM 
^  much  of  what  the  world  generally  calls  'enjoyment'  in  m, 
!^£.t  i  t£  r  '°""  "^  t^'e  speaker  was  remarkable  to  hear! 
-iW  K  ff  Tu  T^"'""^^'  °"*  ^'^"'^  among  the  herds  of 

jrUd  buffalo,  and  herds  of  wilde,  Indians  on  the  vVe.ten.  r>uZ 

^"T"j'  '/'^  /  '^.^"  r*^'  *^°"^^  ^^"'-     l^he  passe,...:, 

Ae    Lind  of  Columbia '  were  the  usual  son  .f  people  oni 

Jl^  nctv  mercantile   and  manufac:turing  pe..ple   fiom    th<. 

J«thern^at,Q8,  with   miil.,ns  of  dollars,  g?ing  over  to  maki 

^"^  T^'k-  ^Y'\  "*^  °"'y  ^"'^  ^«^  ^^^"^ »  ever  found 
jmh  the  trcmhi.  of  talking  to,  and  he  was\  second-class  fd 

A^"*"   v?"^  proportions-tall  and  moulded  like  an  atteir 
ApoUo,  with  a  face^mll  of  intelligence  and  sel(.repression.  ^1/ 

tod  a  srory~he  puzzled  me— to  be  puzzled  inca^  to  be  inter- 

Sr  dav  om'"hl"f  m''^  'l^'''  ^''^^''  Hawksley ;  and  on  the 
iast  day  out,  he  told  me  his  story,  meptionmg  no  names  not 

^tT;;\-me"T  ;"  ^^"'  ^  °"  ^^'^^^^"^  '-"  ^^-> "'  "- 
p^tea,  at  times,  to  be  assumed. 

"He  was  an  Englishman,  the  only  son  of- a  yeoman -farmer 
j^u  educated  as  a  gentle„..n.  He  had  been  twoTthrttycars 
man'hi'^^^'Zr  '  "^*"  '"  Staffordshire.     I  think  he  said  th 

?eat  ^am'  '"^   r  *"'  "'"'"V^-  ^'*'^^'  "^'''^»^'  ^  ^'^^'  heiress,  a 
g.eat  b-'auty,  and  six  years  hi.  junior.     She  was  hom6  from 

school,  romantic  as  all  girls  home  horn  school  are,  and  s'.meeS 

my  handsome  secretary.      What  would  you  have  ?     U'U  "aU  i^ 

iove^wun  each  other,  of  course-run  aw'ay  to  Scotland  Indb? 

M>  lord  paused.     The  fish  hacVbeen  placed  upon  the  table 
.n.l  he  took  his  knife  and  fork  an.l  refreshed  hin  se5  wUh  aUt 

lar*  change  wa»  pa.ssmg.  and  over  the  face  of  my  lady  a  <Itaddr 
*  hitene.s  had  come.  »h^  le«,.e.1  a  little  forward,  her  lip  ataiT 
.e,  jrca.  eyes  dilated--  heedles,  of  her  husbanj  of  he    Oinaa 

'•thnlhrnf'^l?'''"  7"»P^<^«^'y  ^  it  all  down  to  ids  own 

"  wl?f  ,K^**^*  **^,  nan-atior,  and  placidly  went  on  ; 
k««*  rtf  two  foolish,  uhfortunate.  happy  young  l<;ven 

me  pwt  of  the  luafdian,  ww  vuun<l  fuiftK  of  robbing  aoMy 


.>^-^ 


.\ 


-w 


BOW  ROBERT  ^WKSLBY  K&n^ HtS  WOMD. '  ij^ 

oi'l  jewels,  and  obliged  to  fly  England.  Now,  \yo  years  tfter, 
ae  had  mju*»  a  honje  and  a  conij»eience,  and  he  was  rej^umiim 
to  seek  ou^  fiis  w^c  and  take  her  back  to  that  new  worlid.  We 
[jkrted  or  'ne  qnay.  As  we  shook  hands  I  inade  him  promw* 
that  if  e'Pr,  in^any  way,  I  could  serve^him,  he  would  command 
me.  I  liKed  the  lad  greatly — it  was  a^  brave  and  loyal  nature, 
I  tj-uly  bciieve.  '  , 

"  We;i,"  sai3  1  Mrd  Montalien,  taking  a  little  more  tuibot^ 
*  fiMirleen  years  pissejd,  aurid  1  heard  nothing  more  o^  or  from, 
Wt.  Robert  HawVtley  until  yesterday.     Until  yesterday,  when 
NI^-.  James  Gripn*  r  here,  called  upon  me  and  infonned  me  I, 
IV  as  solicited  to  b'.f  orae  guardian  (it  a  young  lady,  heiress  of 
eighty  thousand  pounds  and  presenting  me  with  a  letter  con-         .^ 
faming  fuHher  particulars.    "The  letter  was  all  the  way  from 
San  Kraivcisco  a  id  from  my  old  aciluairitance,  Hawksley.     He 
.recalled  the  p'-of^iise  I  had  voluntarily  tpade,  and  in  the  most 
manly  n^d  frin'c  way  asted  me  to  fulfil  it  now  by  becoming 
the  guardian  ar'lr  protector  of  his  only  child.     And  he  told  nie 
his  story  in  hvft,  from  the  time  of  our  partintg  on  the  Livers       " 
pool  dock. 

"  He  had  {>/und  his  wife — the  wifje  on  whqse'  fidelity  he  said 
to  me  on  sh'pboard  he  could  have  staked  his  existence — how  >/ 
do  you  think  ?  At  the  altar— the  bride  of  another — a  man  to .  ' 
whom  she  had  been  engaged  before  he  had  met  her,  of  her  own 
rank  and  station.  There  are  more  Enoch  Ardens  in  the  world 
than  Mr.  Tennysdn's  herO.  He  left  England  again  wij^ouf 
speaking  a  word  to  her,  and  he  has  never  returned  since,  j^t 
by  sonir  mystery,  which  he  does  not  explain,  he  discovered  mat 
his  wife  nad  givejj  birth  to  a  child — a  daughter — five  months 
*fter  his  first  flight  from  England,  which  child,  at  two  years  old, 
ilie  had  given  to  a  scene-pamter,  named  Mason,  and  Us  lister, 
to  bring  ijp.  I^e  found  this  child,  begged  the  Masop  peoplr 
^  take  every  care  of  her,  and  they  should  be  one  day  well  re  i^^ 
ru-ded.  Th^  day  has  now  come.  In  the  California  gold 
mices  t|us  man  has  made  a  forttine — eighty  thousand  pounds  he 
has  4epotited  to  be  his  lucky  little  daughter's  dowry,  ind  I  am 
appointed  her  guaidiap.  ^  He  a*ka  me  to  plauce  her  at  a  school  ^ 
where  she  will.be  educated  in  a  manner  l<<fitting  the  station  ta 
bfe  she  is  destined  to  fill :  and  he  says  that  she  may  drop  th« 
cognomen  of  *  Polly  Mason '  for  her  own  rightful  name  of  Pau- 
— ina  Liafe-Pf^m  this,- therf fore, -ir-is  i>lain  that  inTfpad  nf  hit     ^^^ 


H 


Mme  being  Hawksley,  it  is 


Robert  Lisle 

that  he  had  finiihad  bf  wp 


<m;  ^ 


f/ 


i:  i 


i 


III 


; 


ito      t^dDY  cjSTAkrEjus  ffXA/ts  r^£  ntrn. 


with  hii  ipterestftig  story— but  at  that  moment  with  a 
^ping  cry,  L**ly  Charteris  fell  forward,  he^  head-on  the  table. 
AU  ftarted  up ;  her  husband  lifted  her  in  his  anM>  almiMt  ai 
Ihutly  u  henell    She  had /aihted  dead  awnj  I  ^  *^  " 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


1 


^ 


LADY  CHA»T11US   HKAKS  TKI  TfcimL 

IS  the  nig^t  wore  on  the  rain  increased     At  half  past 

■  eleven,  when  Duke  and  |>olly  left  the  theatre,  it  was 

pitch  dark  and  pouring  torrents.     Polly  did  not  mind 

u  A  u  ir  !  "■*'" '  '?,  ^9'  *^f°"8  yo^ng  girlhood  sne  had  not 
had  half  a  dozen  colds  in  her  Ufetime,  and  the  two  had  a  nice, 
long,  muddy  walk  through  the  blackness.  Hackney-coaches 
there  were,  but  all  had  been  monopolized  by  greater  follis  than 
tht  scene-pamter  and  his  cousin.  They  trudged  contentedit 
along,  and  who  was  to  tell  either  that  it  was  fd^  the  last  time? 
That  with  the  new  day,  so  near  breaking,  a  new  life  was  to 
dawn  for  this  girl  of  sixteen  ? 

Rosanna  was  up,  waiting  with  dry  clothes,  a  good  fire,  and  a 
cosey  hltle  Supper.     She  was  very  tender  with  her  child  now  that 
•he  was  going  away  to  school.     Polly's  spirits  had  risen  with  the 
walk  in  the  fresh  summer  rain  ;  they  were  too  «las»ic  to  be  lone 
tfcwessed,  and  then  her  wound  was  only  skin  deep.     She  ate 
the^oast  and  drank  the  weak  tea  Rosanna  had  prepared,  and/ 
laughed  once  more  about  the  "Prince  of  Pipcsandbeei^ba*'^ 
ID  a  way  that  did  her  hearers'  hearts  good,  and  "went  Off,  half 
•n  hour  past  nudnighl,  tq  her  own  room,  sinMng  gayly  as  s£ 


i:--,- 

,'•*■■■  ' 

. 

ttia 

we] 

^m 

1 

dl: 

roo 

•U> 

thn 

t 

i 

Ro 

mai 

^ 

^ 

den 

stai 

ing 

twc 

stai 

mu 

saw 

far 

\ 

nuu 

^ 

hau 

< 
] 

Is  to  MMl  a  faw  hMN  fcM  (h«  B^t,  ay  4«w> 

''Hunk  Rearstt,"  Dgakc  thought  fervently,  ••  she  cau  laurii 
*iid  nng  agavi.  If  •  a  complaiiiit  everybody  haa.  ev»ryboS 
geti  over "  ^  ' 


Very  true,  Mi.  Ihike  Mmion.  moat  people  hiive  it,  and  rooii 
rmM  get  wei  it  ^loo;  a  f^cuftfin/oraslairciKi  n^iii- 
^  ii  WMl  aoMt  gf  «s  feiwvU,  and  mc  »  tnce  reoMMM  tp  toQ 


\ 


COF 


get 

S 

bef( 

fdiil 
(ac( 

tOMi 

roit 
ten 

i" 


.%i.' 


t,  inth  a  . 
tie  table. 
Imoat  ai 


< 


\ 


LADY  CHARTRlUmif^AitS   THE   TttUTB.         \%i 

ths  odious  disease  has  c'er  been ;  and  others  of  us  se* 
well,  and  dat,  and  drink,  and  are  merry,  but  the  soars  remain* 
^ruel  and  deep,  to  the  very  )jN>t  d^  of  our  lives  ! 

The  scene-painter,  with  a  yawn,  took  up  his  bedroom  ran 
dls,  bide  his  sister  ^bod-nif{bt,  aad  was  turning  to  quit  tl» 
room  when  there  came  such  x  knock  at  the  front  ddot  as  liter 
ally  made  him  drop  it  again  with  amaze.  A  knock  that  echoed 
ttirough  the  whole  house,  at  a  quarter  to  one,  of  a.pburii^ 

G'ttb  black  June  morning,     flv  master  of  the  house  looked  af 
■  sister  agha!st 

"  VVho  can  it  be,  Rosann}>,  at  on^  o'clock  in  the  morning  ? ' 

''Give  me  the  light  and  I'll  soon  see,"  retorted  the4ntrei>i«l 
Rosanna ;  and  takmg  the  candle  her  brother  had  dropp^  she 
marched  straight  to  the  door  and  flung  it  o|>en. 

Whoever  Miss  Rosanna  f<ason  expected  to  see,  it  was  evi 
dent  she  did  not  expett  the  nsitor  she  beheld,  for  with  a  loud, 
startled  cry  she  recoiled.  A'  that  cry  Polly's  curly  head,  peep», 
ing  curiously  )Qver  the  banir^er,  came, down  another  step  oi^ 
two.  Duke  from  his  pl<lce  in  the  kitclien  advanced,  and  thereL 
standing  on  the  threshold,  drenched  through,  splashed  witb 
mud,  pale  as  "death,  with  wild  eyes  and  disordered  hair,  ^e 
saw — l-,ady  Charteris  I  Lady  t  hcuteris,  alone,  wet  tlirough,'  sc 
far  from  home,  and  at  that  hottr.  Some  prophetic  instinct 
made  him  understand  all.  He  took  the  candle  froiu  his  sister** 
hand,  and  whispered  in  her  ear  : 

"  For  God's  sake,  make  Polly  go  ♦o  bed  I '"_ 

Rosanna  left  obediently,  awed  bj*  *iie  «ght  of  that  awfully 
corpse-like  face.  '      '* 

"  Come  in,  I  JwJy  iCharteris,"  Duke  ra»d  gravely.  *•  You  will 
get  your  death  stanaing  there  in  the  rain.     Are  you  alone  ?  " 

She  did  not  answer  the  question.     She  came  in  and  stood 

f)efore  him  in  the  warm,  lighted  kitchen,  her  wet  gaimeDti 

fiiipping  on  the  white  floo.*-,  her  loose  hair  falling  aoou^  bei 

(ace,  hex  great  black  eyes  &xtd  with  spectta^  wlenmity  on  ^ 

Bicn.  '  .  "~"^ 

"Duke  Mason,"  she  aaid,  in  a  hoarse,  annatnral  sort  of 
▼mce,  **  you  have  deceived  vofi,  and  I  trusted  ym  /  My  ba» 
kuid  is  alive*"  il       '         * 

\  "  Lady  Clharteris  I "  •  :» 

A  dull,  rM  glow  lea^wid  up  in  the  dusky  depdi»  vf  her  ipeai 


^Wj^ 


*<  I  am  not  Lady  Charteris,"  ihesaid,  in  the  same  ttil,  dou- 
tcpe,  "  and  you  know'  it  I     1  have  never  for  one  t^Mi 


^tOt'W.. 


^ 


A 


..&»■>■ 


li^^'^i.A^r  cbaMtrmis  n^H3  tsb  rit 


* 


had  a  right  to  that  hated  name.  I  am  Rolwrt  Lisle's  wife,  vuk 
Robert  Lisle  u  alive,  and  yon  tx^^  it. 

"  My  lady— ^'        ^^ 

"You  know  it,"  ^he  Repeated  "  Vo'  have  deceived  me 
king  snough,  ;|ll  of  you.  I  am  no  child.  I  will  be  deceived 
no  longer.  This  night  you  will  tell  mt  'he  truth.  I  have 
^ked  three  miles  through  darkness  and  stona  to  hear  the 
Iruth,  and  you  shall  speak  it.  On  the  day— tut  accursed  da> 
"-cpon  which  I  stood  at  the  altac*  Sir  Vane  Ch«i.e.i!,'  bride, 
Robert,  my  Robert,  ray  husband  oiy  love,  was  in  d.j  church 
looking  at  my  perjury.  Ana  you  knew  it  UTte  the  rciu,  ami 
hk?  the  rest  have  hidden  it  from  me— you  who  knew  ho,r  1 
loved  hin» — you  whom  I  never  wronged." 

Her  voic^  sank  to  an  unutterable  pathos,  her  eyes  looked  at 
Wm  unutterably  sad,  unutterably  reproachfiiL  Duke  (airly 
fave  way. 

"  I  did,  my  lady— forgive  me  if  you  can  I     It  was  wrong — 1 
bought  so  from  the  first,  but  what  could  I  do  ?     He  bade  me 
^eep  his  secret  from  you— from  you  most  of  all  on  earth. 
iVhat  could.  J  do  but  obey  ?" 
nean —  ?  " 

>e  man  who  called  himself  Robert  Hawksley— 
\i\.  Lisle,  a^  I  know  very  well  now,  and  your  hus- 
^ere  out  of  fengland — he  bound  me  by  a  promise 
Jal  his  existence  if  I  chanced  to  meet  you  again. 
What  could  1  do,  my  lady  ?  I  don't  know  how  you  have  found 
this  out,  the  whole  thing  is  so  confused  that  1  hardly  know 
which  is  the  right  and  which  the  wrong.  I  wanted  to  tell  you 
that  night  in  Montalien  Park,  but  I  feared— I  feared  I  What 
right  had  I  to  telJ  you  you  were  the  wife  of  two  living  husbands, 
i>ound  to  each  by  the  tie  of  motherhood  ?  And  so  1  held  ray 
peace.  I  am  sorry  for  you,  my  lady— sorry  from  my  inmost 
leait.     I  would  help  you,  Heaven  knows,  if  I  could" 

'  You  can ! "   she  said,  still  retaining  that  deep,  unnatiu-al 
nahn.     "I  have  come  to  you  lot  help.     Twice  before  you 
^Mdri  me  in  my  great  need  ;  now  help  me  again,  for  the  third 
drae,  m  a  greater  extremity  stilL" 

She  held  out  bodi  handi  to  him      He  remembered  the  ge» 

mre— the  very  same  as  she  stood  by  the  window  of  Lynditk 

Grange  and  implored  him  to  aid  b»r  in  her  flight,  as  on  that 

•ighf  he  answered  niore  moved  than  he  cared  to  show :       ■ 

"Twin  help  you,  Ifl  can.    Tell  me  how,  lady  Charterik?" 

«  Not  that  naoae  1 "  ihe  cried  rising  pawion  in  her  voice  and 


? 


y 


I 


s  wifSe,  mbi 


reived  nM 

deceived 

I   have 

)  hear  the 

iirsed  da> 

iiib'  bride, 

!>j  church 

tcii,  ano 

kew  Lo»r  1 

looked  at 
ike    fairly 

wrong — ] 
'  bade  mc 
on  earth. 


iwlcsley— 
your  hus- 
I  promise 
ou  again, 
ive  found 
dly  know 
}  tell  you 
I!  What 
msbands, 
1  held  my 
ly  inmost 

unnatural 
fore  you 
the  third 

I  the  ge» 
Lyndith 
on  that 


Lrterb?" 
oiceand 


■'0y: 


lADY  CHARTEktS  IfEARS  TtTK   TRUTH.         itj 

tkee  ••  Never  again  that  nanw  1  I  loathe  it.  I  abhor  it,  a« 
I  d<i  the  man  that  bears  it !  £  am  Olivia  Lisle— oh,  thank 
frod  I  that  I  can  VK$  it  I  "Thank  God !  that  my  darling  Uvea 
though  1  should  nwei  see  his  face  again  I " 

She  sank  into  a  chair,  and  the  womanhood  within  her  g»« 
way.  She  covered  her  face  with  her  hands,  and  the  room  wa» 
filled  with  her  -anguished  sobs — anguish  that  was  still  half 

iflirious  joy.  He  lived !  Oceana  rolled  bet|^een  thcto, 
leagues  of  land  divided  them— a  deeper  gulf  JBB  «arth  ot 
ocean  held  them  asunder— the  proGabilities  tnlWiey  wouW 
ever  stand  face  to  face  again  were  as  one  in  ten  million — ^but 
he  lived  !  And  the  woman's  heart  yielded  in  such  rushing  tears, 
such  wild  sobs,  as  shook  her  from  head  to  foot. 

A  pretty  predicament  for  Dukcr-Duke  Mason — a  rtiodel  of 
every  virtue  to  all  the  married  and  unmarried  men  of  Speck- 
baven,  shut  up  here  with  another  man's  wife — nay,  the  wife  oit^» 
other  men,  at  this  unholy  hour  of  the  morning  !  If  anybody  in 
passing  should  chance  to  see  or  hear — and  what  was  Rosanna, 
at  the  key-hole,  thinking  ?  One  may  be  virtuous  and  still  in- 
dulge in  "  cake^  and  ale  "—one  may  be  all  the  cardinal  virtues 

.mcarnate,  and  still  listen  at  a  key-hole.  Duke  felt  dreadfully 
sorry  for  this  most  unhappy  lady— her  tears  and  hysterics 
unmanned  him  and  made  him  nearly  cry  himself,  but  still  he 
was  thinking  distractedly  if  anybody  should  find  it  out— if  Sir 
Vane  Charteris  should  unexpectedly  appear,  outraged,  jealous, 
awful,  before  him.  Visions  of  a  dismal  day-dawn,  a  lonesome 
field,  somewhere  down  along  the  coast,  pistols  for  two,  and  a 
vindictive  baionet,  a  dead-shot,  with  his  evil  eyes  upon  him, 
listeniiig  for  the  fatal  "  One,  two,  three !  "  rose  before  him. 

Lady  Charteris  looked  up  at  last  As  on  that  other  night, 
under  the  trees  of  Montalien,  she  conunanded  herself  or  hi^ 
sake,  and  held  back  her  passion  of  tears  by  the  effort  tf  scU 
repression,  that  hs  \  b^ome  habitual  to  her.  She  held  out  h« 
liand  to  him  with  a  pathetic  glance  that  weat  sti?aight  to  hit 
big,  tender,  honest  heart  .    .  l 

"  Forgive  me,  Mr.  Mason,"  die  sud  sweetly  •  '*  it  is  weak 
and  selfish  of  me  to  distress  you— ^  my  beit,  my  most  faith- 
ful friend.  I  will  not  give  way  again.  My  own  cowardice,  my 
own  pitiftil  weakness  in  fparing  for  my  child,  in  wishing  to  r» 
sain  her,  in  too  leadily  believing  the  lies  told  me  of— of  Jnt 

^'^nth,  has  brought  all  this  long  misery  uprat^BC.     I  must:be«= 
It  now  to  ray  Ufe's  c  ose  alone.     But  I  roust  hear  all  you  h»v« 
to  tell— all— ever?"  wiwd  he  spoke,  everyl^fi&g  he  dia-^ery« 


<v 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
JEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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_Scieiices 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIBSTtR.N.Y.  I4SS0 

(71«)S72-4503 


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1I4      iMiY^guAnrEtus  m^Jts  m  ntork 

^,^^^"^1-     ^-^  '  *?^*^  *«  "^  "tt^^ly  wretched  u^ 
tort  creature  tfifs  wide  earth  holds.    There  aVe  tmiM^.«i 

^S;i'?,'^^*T^     ^fyo«  have  any  pit^b^hlJSfo 
JO  m^erable  a  wretch,  yon  wiU  n>eak  to-^S  wS^l^JJ 

vofci^n/*'"  ^°"  ^^^  *^**  °'y  "^y*"  Duke^annrered,  h» 
vwce  fiiU  of  great  pity      «  Heaven  knows  I  would  have  toldh 

J«ilongagoiflhad4«red     A  great  wrong  has  bin  cwie- 
Igrcat  and  cruel  wrong.    Whether  it  can  ever  b^r^Si 
now  IS  not  for  mc  to  say.    The  dead  and  the  living  iS^Ske 
to  blanie.     Geoffi-ey  Lyndith  and  Sir  Vane  Charte.fsr^„ 
boA^knew  on  your  second  wedding<Uy  that  RdSt  Lisle^SJ 

u  ".^**%"  «he  said,   catching  her  breath  spasmodically   and 
leaning  forward  m  her  eagerness.     "  Go  on  ! "  ^' 

It  was  at  the  church  door  I  sawjiim  first,"  the  scene 
painter  continued.  He  was  walking  up  and  Si  the  khdien 
floor  now.  and  his  thoughts  wen,  £ck^o  thaT^asV^^t^d 
Ae  sunny  Apnl  morning  ;  the  throng  of  carria«^  iid  ^^* 
before  St  George's,  and  Robert  Halksley-s  X?e  fece^^! 
vividly  before  him.  "  1  cannot  under^nd  it  mySf  but' ^m! 
^nstmct  told  me  who  he  was  fiom  the  fi«l  iXew  bu  UtUe 
'f^7V'u'l  '*'*^'^'  "y  '^y.  but  I  heard  both  your^Sf  «,d  Mr 
LyndiAallude  toa  Robert  Lisle  a^d  when  yougavrmeS^ld 
you^id  was  yours,  I,  of  course,  concluded  »hat  Robert  S 

i^en'Te^sf^  face'^o"^"'  T"  ^'"^     ^''  <>"  that  mSril  ^ 
wnen  we  stood  face  to  face,  I  remember  the  thoueht  cowino 

Hr^  nZt  \^'  w^^^•*  ^'^^"'^  "^  Robert  STS? 

I^Ja  thi  JH      ^^  '°?^''"'  ^"^^  ''°''^'  '  'hink,  that  first  sug 
jested  the  idea-a  look  I  cannot  describe-such  a  look  as  onfi 

^^"y^>^^n^btI  ^-u-ToJ-jB 

&  V^  a  '*?^  *  '^  '^"*  .nd  hi.  ey^  met  UiSe'S 
£.Jn^      "•     ^  "*''*'  "•'"  *"<*  »  change  coae  over  ant 

SrliLlJrlw"  Hawkaley  aad  -yadf  .ndr;S.4U!S 


>.  fc.'iiV.,^a3L'^^a  ^:;  i^  vsi.-.  ij^i.:iW^i.-.-Ji4ii5S.vi.-;i! 


• » 


etched  aad 
neswfaen  i 
or  heart  foi 
tell  me  dir 

sfwered,  hk 
tave  told  it 
'en  cone-- 
«  repaired 
i;  are  alike 
18 !  They 
:  Lisle  wai 

cally,  and 

he  scene- 
le  kitchen 
time,  and 
id  people 
face,  were 
but  some 
but  little 
fand  Mr. 
e  the  child 
t)ert  Lislf 
morning, 
t  coming 
le  in  the 
hrsr  sug- 
k  as  on^ 
ity  weai 
le  wa)  'd 
eremoi^} 
ou  caioc 
not  see 
re  fiaed 
pasfou 
those  of 
tver  anjf 
Mtant— 

left  the 


LADY  CMARTERIS  BEARS  THB  tttk 


iSf 


"Hmrkaleyr 

"  He  called  himself  Hawksley,  my  lady.  I  tukned  to  hiio; 
a&d  ^xed  him  then  and  there  with  being  Robert,  l,isle.  '  My 
name  IS  Hawksley,'  he  answered, '  and  I  mart  follow  ihat  man.' 

<*  We  left  the  churdi  together,  called  a  lunsoro^  aitd  drove  to 
tour  late  uncle's  house  on  Park  Lane.  I  remained  in  the  cab ; 
mT descended,  and  after  some  tarable  was  admitted,  and  youi 
ancle  cajne  down  in  person,  and  they  Went  into  the  library  to 
gether. ' 

<'  I  remember  I  I  remember  i "  my  lady  said,  in  a  hushed, 
awe-struck  voice.  "  I  remember  the  altercation  in  the  luill,  my 
ancle's  leaving  us  at  the  table,  and  a  strange  husli  of  expecta« 
tion  (ailing  upon  us.  Oh,  my  God !  to  think  tlat  in  that  houi 
he  was  under  the  same  roof  with  me — in  that  hour  when  it  waa 
not  yet  too  late  I " 

"ItfMif  too  late!"  Duke  Mason  answered.  "Haul  he  in* 
fisted  upon  seeing  you,  that  very  instant  he  would  have  been 
given  over  to  the  hands  of  the  law  to  answer  for  a  crinie  he  had 
never  committed.  Yet  I  doubt  if  that  would  have  held  him 
back.  He  was  made  to  believe  that  you  abhorred  his  memory, 
diat  you  believed  him  a  thief,  that  you  had  grown  to  love  Sir 
Vane  Charteris,  that  if  you  knew  the  truth,  the  shame,  the  an- 
guish of  publicity,  would  break  your  heart  He  was  told  the 
marriage  was  no  marriage,  and  wonid  be  so  proven  if  he  made 
any  attempt  to  see  or  speak  to  you.  1 1  was  too  late,  my  lady. 
Your  uncle  triumphed.  Robert  Lisle  left  the  house,  and  fell 
like  a  dead  man  on  the  street  before  he  had  gone  ten  stejps. 
I  took  him  home— my  sister  cared  for  him,  and  next  day,  as 
we  sat  alone  together,  he  told  me  his  stor>.  He  believed  what 
Geoffirey  Lyndidi  had  said — that  you  were  utterly  .false  and 
faithless.  My  lady,  I  knew  better.  1  could  no^  fo«ar  to  hew 
fOB  so  accused,  and  right  or  wrong,  told  him  all  I  knew.  Iti 
iraa  then  that  he  learned  that  the  Uttle  child  prattling  about  th^ 
k^ise  was  his.  I  believe  that  knowledge  saved  him  fix>m  a 
loidde't  grave — it  gave  hun  sometfaiiMr  to  live  for.  Where  you 
were  concerned  all  hope  was  at  an  end — tiis  mind  was  made  up 
n  leave  England  again  at  once  and  forever.  His  last  words 
were  of  little  Polly :  *  She  shall  be  an  heiress  yet,'  he  said,  ai 
we  shook  hands  and  paited.  Every  year  since  that  time  he 
kM  sent  her  a  Christmaa  token  of  fifty  pounds,  and  a  few 
t>Mirt  ^itMm  to  fttk  if  the  ^'^  *^"     Th..r..j  my  lady,  b  the 


iloiy  oir  Robert  Hawksley  is  I  kmnr  it    liay  I  uk  ti0w  jnfv 
Vw  lavoed  t^  be  i»  alive  ^^ 


%rji»k!«*.a*'.i»«>4i 


186 


"V 


\. 


LADY  Ca^RTRRrs  HEARS  TITS  ntUTO, 


uid  I  fainted.     1  «^s  n  ml  «  '  ^  ^J*^^'*  '*^^'"'^  f<^'">& 

first  time  in  fourth  yetTbesr^  leJlnn^r'"^^'^^  **^* 
pointed  to  the  door  •  '  PrT  «.,t !5^  .  '°°''^''  *'  '^™  and 

come  into  it4a1ri-4"ar;ou'livJ^  '^'^^^  °-« 

4t  each  otherT  no  one  sookV     hI        J     ^°  "^""'^^  ^"^^^ 
ho.x-s  and  hours  uTeeS  to  m.  rT*  t  °"'^'  ^"'^  ''^^^  ^^ 

away-my  mind^ras  afc^'^^^^^^^^  '^Y  ^'^^  appeareu  to  fade 

the  pictures  on  Ae  w^U^the  pattern  of  fh""""^""'  '"^"^'"S  ** 
lights  burning  on  thfe  taht  l>f  ,■     ^^^  ''^1'*'^'  »» ^he  wax- 

cacd  face;ioo];i"g  atTe  i"  S^°Zh  llSl"";''  ^"^  "  '"«^*- 
^ran^  from  ti.e  L^  seted"  SS^I  1  Jte^tL"'  "^"^  ^ 
of  the  room  and  the  house.  1  ,^  jPT^/"^  '^^^'^  "^^ 
gifes ,  they  were  open  i,tik  bv^a^^  ^  *^°7"  '°  **»* 
straight  here.  I  never  feffe  l\^^  ^^^""^^^  *°**  '  *=*«* 
•   perhlps  I  an  yet"  ^he  r«ih.     I  .appose  J  was  mad- 

M^^^^^kcd  at^VrntSlter"^^^^^^  "^^  f  -^-  ^^ 
of  a  coivse-her  ey«  swS  Zt^  T*  ^  ^^''*^ "  *«  ^ 
voice  was  straneelv  aui^  aL  ^  *  ?^'  **"«''*  g''ttf  r~l»« 
though  speakiSknwher  ^"^''f-^he  spoke  of  her^if  ii 

/^./her^oubrt^^d  L  w'''^"mT"""^«*«*^ 
•ima?  ""  orain?    Should  he  summoQ  Hoi 

with  a  crash,  a  man',  k.  ^^"     *^*  heard  it  flung  open 


TT, 


TO, 

ed%htl7  to 
^f  untold  de  . 
'  Lord  Mon^ 

ily,  "with  I 
roih  the  tm 
ed  his  naiOQ 
ly— a  griae 
ned  reeilng^ 
>vered,  with 
srls  (for  the 
a:  bm  and 
'  anct  never 
nen  looked 
id  I  ken  for 
:.  .  i  don't 
reu  to  fade 
looking  at 
It  the  wax- 
n tensity  of 
s  pattering 
then,  all  at 
reat  tliops 
i!  Robert 
h  a  fright- 
:  mad.     1 
ushed  out 
wi  to  th« 
I  I  came 
IS  mad-r- 

r.  Dulw 
ithe£ac< 
tter-Jio» 
lerieif  ii 

IgtOthlR. 
lOfQiloi 

carriage 
ng  open 
U.    lilt 


iirVMir 


tdDY  CBAMrSKis   HFaKS   THE   TRUn.  ,g. 

C-jce^again  Duke's  thought*  flew  back  fourteen  )ears  i^^  the 
Speckhaven  waiting  room,  at 'the  same  abnormal  horn,  and 
M«cftey  Lyndith  standing  dark  and  grim  as  Sir  Vane  Charterii 
•tood  now.  Once  again  with  the  same  gesture  th"  kvated  lad^ 
Ufted  h6r  tatad  and  looked  her  pursuef  fu  J  in  the  lace. 

Tlie  usuallv  florid  countenance  of  the  baronet  was  faded  noH 
to  a  duU  Uvid  pallor.  There  was  a  look  about  his  mouth  ant^ 
Jy<es  not  good  to  sec. 

"  lady  ^harteris,"  he  said  grimly,  "  come  home  ! "  He  ad 
yanced  towru^d  her.  She  shrunk  back,  both  arms  outstretched 
with  a  scream  of  fear  and  horror. 

"Don't  touch  me!"  she  cried.  "Don't  come  near  me' 
Don  t  call  me  by  that  name !  I  am  not  your  wife— I  nevei 
was.  In  the  hour  you  married  me  you  knew  my  lawfiil,  my 
only  husband  was  alive  !  And  you  lied  to  me  and  told  me  he 
was  dead — yOU  false,  false,  false  villain  !"    ,     % 

He  listened  with  a  diabolical  smile,  his  glittering,  sinister  eyes 
never  leaving  her  wild  face. 

"  Have  you  quite  done,  madame  ?  This  sort  of  performance 
IS  entertammg  epough  with  the  stage-lights  and  apprM)riate  cos- 
tumes, and  at  a  suitable  hour ;  but  allow  me  to  suggest  that  at 
one  o'clock  m  the  morning  Lady  Charteris  should  be  at  home 
and  m  bed.  TJlis  is  the  scene-painter,  I  suppose,"  with  a 
sneering  look  at  Duke,   "to  whom  you  gave   that   fellow's 

llegit — ?'  .  * 

She  uttered  a  cry,  and  half  sprung  toward  him. 
"  If  you  dare  V  she  gasped.     "  You  said  it  onoi.     Take 
care  !  take  care ! "  »  . 

"  Ah  I  I  remember,"  with  sneering  icom.  "You  don't  like 
the  word.  I  said  it  once,  over  thirteen  years  ago.  I  umem- 
b6r  very  distinctly.  I  told  you  it  nw  not  an  agreeable  recol 
ectjon  for  me  that  I  had  married  the  mistraiK  of  a  couutn- 
Clod,  and  from  that  hou/  to  this  we  have  been,  man  and  wile 
onJjf  m  name.  Is  Mr.  Robert  Lisle's  interesting  daughter  and 
hetftss  visible,  Mr.~-ah— Mason  ?  I  suppose  not,  though,  at 
this  hour.  I  should  really  like  to  see  her  ;  but  that  pleasure 
must  be  reserved  for  another  time.  For  you,  my  lady— take 
nyarmi"  ^  ' 

He  lookoi  at  her  with  a  terrible  glance.     She  shruLJi  away 
tronbhng  from  head  to  foot 

^^iXake  my  arm  I "  he  repeated,  still  with  that  baaliik  atows-= 
"ndconoe  home.     Hume  I     Do  you  know  cne  loit  of  hoiat  ' 
pnnded  in  Mch  women  a*  yoo?" 


r 


^ 


'1 


Tt8 


"VM  IfAlfW  OP    THE  NEW  LUfE, 


ac  (iid  not  sjjcak.     Her  ejes  looked  ap  at  him  fbO  of  « 
peat  liorror.  »»  ■»  • 

^  K  mud-heuse  n 

HcliteraUy  hi»s|Sd  thewords.  a  devil  of  hatred  and  rage  io  Ui 
««CK  eyes  As  he  spoke  he  drew  the  shrinking  ha3  wit^ 
Alt  own,  and  forced  her  toward  the  door 

aJ!!!l  r"J  '^**'**"*  I*  !'"«•'  ''""^  ^  *«  threshold  liH 
aooked  back  once  at  the  huinblc.  (aithfa-  friend  she  was  Iea«na 
•ad^who  stood  so  powerless  to  help  her  how.     It  was  hei  faJ? 

aftf?  ^;K^J^f^"  2*^''"  *"  ^Jf^  for  years  and  yeaiB 
after,  kjA  that  look  of  unutterafiiTWor  on  her  death^W 
So  for  years  and  years  that  fareweU  look  haunted  him 


with  much  the  same  remoiae  as  thou^  he  had  ito^'^  Il^d 
before  his  eyes. 


ae^n  her  slain 


CHAPTER  IX 


It  Ik! 


'*• 


TH»  DAWN  or  TbS  NKW  LWM. 

IN  the  Stately  turrets  and  ivy-grown  towers  of  Monto 
I  hen  Pnory,  and  on  the  two-story  wooden  dox  of  Mr 
'^hone  ""'  **  ^*  '^  »  °e^  »nd  glorious  day 

flnlb'^t""  ^^  passed  with  tne  night  The  June  sunshine 
flooded  sky  and  earth,  the  buds  sang  blithely,  the  busv  tow. 
was  astir,  and  at  his  painring  .-oom  wind. -^^  Ouke  Mason  sal 

ES  ^  °"*'  """^  *^*'"*  °°****°«  ^         '^"^  *»**  **«» 

oJ?*  '^  f*?"*^  *°  ^°^  ^'^  Duchess.  It  was  aU  said  in  thai 
£S.■illH-"I^V '^^^"^•^♦'^"gWng,  mischievous,  troublesome, 
toving  httle  PoUyi-was  going  from  him  to  return  no  mcne 

^rti  i  ?  wf"  h??PJ;.r*"  »»»«  »««»  been  the  jov,  the  torment 
J«  dehght  of  his  lrf<^_now  she  was  to  be  tai;n  from  S 
Ajd  what  remained  P  He  had  intended  to  send  her  away  to 
lAool^self,j^was  true,  bu^thaL  sort  of  jeparatiou  wouW 
taf^feeenffiflferent  SHe^ould  stiO  h.ve  b^This,  beloZiJ 
l»tta  wodd,  and  one  day  she  wookl  ha^e  come  b«:k  to  ligScS 


TBB  mAWN  OF  ThE  VhW  tJFE. 


lis 


* 


im  fill!  •!  4 


und  iriu» 

eshold  iIm 
ras  leaving, 
U  hei  fiuT 

and  yeaifl 
death-cold 
unted  hina 
Nxl  by  and 


>f  Monta 
t>x  of  Mi. 
rioui  day 

>nnshin«  > 
>us>  tows 
ason  sal 
uiddeso 


^\n  thai 
blesooM^ 
lo  more 
torment 
om  him. 
awaj  to 

elunsin| 
»ligUet 


,     Aor  daD,  gray^olored  life  with  her  sunshinr  presence  ania 

fihit  aow  she  was  Lord  Montalien'f  ward,  and  heiress  t  f  e^tf 

aousand  pounds,  and  as  lost  to  .aini,  abnost,  as  tnomdi  the 

cooin  lid  had  close«J  upqn  her. 

He  sat  there,  unshorn  anu  unwashed,  nether  hacdsomr  not 

.^^*'®*""«  *o  loolt  at,  but  with  a  sorrow  as  profound,  a  despair 

^  peat,  as  the  veriest  hero  of  romance  could  ever  feeL 

He  had  not  been  to  bed  all  night.     He  and  Rosanna  had 

.  iat  side  by  side  in  the  Uttle  kitchen,  while  the  storm  clouds 

sleaied  away  and  the  rosy  morning  broke,  not  talking,  and  with 

i.»e  same  thoughts  uppermost  in  both  minds-  Polly  was  eoina 

and  forever !  /  »  •"•» 

WofiUly  gray  and  grim  Rosanna  looked  in  this  new  day's 
sunshine,  but  she  went  about  her  work  without  tear  ot  sigh, 
hiding  her  trouble  deep  in  her  heart,  as  few  women  do.  imd 
roehng  it  all  the  more  bitterly. 

And  upstairs,  widi  her  flushed  cheek  resting  on  one  rounded 
arm,  and  her  sunny  curls  on  the  pillow,  PoUy  slept,  while  hei 
new  life  dawned  with  the  new  day. 

"  Who  was  that  came  at  such  an  unearthly  liour  last  night  ?" 
she  asked  at  breakfast  "  1  heard  doors  banging  and  people 
talking  till  daybreak,  it  seems  to  me.  And  here  you  and  Duke 
kK>k  as  solemn  as  a  pair  of  white  owls  this  mornina.  Rosanna. 
what  IS  It  all  about  ? "  ^        >«-»««• 

They  put  her  off  with  some  evasive  answer.  It  was  impo& 
sible  to  tell  her.  The  blow  must  come,  but  it  was  beyond  iheii 
itrergth  to  inflict  it  themselves.  Selfish,  perhaps— but  aie  we 
net  a'l  selfish  in  our  love  and  our  sorrow  ? 

The  morning  mail  brought  Duke  a  letter— a  foreign  letter— 
waJ  inclosing  a  bri-f  note  addriessed  to  "Paulina  Lisle." 
Duke  laid  it  aside— that  name  smote  him  like  a  blow— and 
read  his  own.  No  words  could  be  more  manly,  more  gratefiiL 
nore  kindly  than  those  of  Robert  Lisle,  but  the  decree  ftf  part- 
og  was  irrevdcable.  By  birth  and  fortune  Paulina  was  a  lady. 
A*  such  she  had  her  place  to  fill  in  society— in  tnat  world  to 
irhich  Lord  .Monuheri,  as  her  gpardian,  could  present  her.  It 
was  all  qmre  rignt,  he  felt  it  plainly  as  any  one,  but  the  i>atn 
waa  oone  the  less  acute.  He  sat  there  for  hours,  with  that 
•pen  letter  in  his  hand.  Rosanna  sat  idly  by  the  kitchen  fiw 
—and  when  had  Rosanna  be---  idle  before  ?  Polly  ha.1  gone 
-Mjnake  an  early ^all  upon  iier^end  Alice,  and*alkidK>m  \m 
■ew  clothes  and  her  new  school  prospects— the  ticking  of  tii« 
Md  clock  fovftded  pretematuraily  loud  in  t>«  bl«nk  ttilliytn 


190 


:  :i? 


THE  DAWN  OF   THE  NEW  L/FE. 


And  «o,  i^en  at  half-past  eleven  Lord  Montalien  leadied  tht 
house,  an4  knocked  at  the  door^  lie  fcind  them 

Roaanna's  face  betrayed  no  surprise  when  she  adini/ted  hei 
g2««»«J^ed-  ^.suor.  Yes  she  answered.  Mr.  Duke  MaTo.^ 
Z^l'  ^""^  .''*'  disengaged,  and  would  see  him.  Sh« 
Mhered  the  peer  mto  the  hu.nble  parlor,  and  Duke  got  up,  ^^ 
put  his  letter  m  his  pocket,  and  went  slowly  down  stairs. 

"tKo****    1'''°'''  ?*'*'•  ^^''  ^**'"'"  '"^J*  'o^dship  said.  quieUf 
„.     IT  know  the  errand  upon  wnich  I  have  com^      Y« 
OAve  had  a  letter  from  California  by  this  morning's  post" 
"I  have,  my  lord"  ^  6    i~»  ^ 

-la^  w^^iibtless  painfiil  to  you  to  part  with  your  adopted 
daughter  after  all  those  years,  but  the  thing  is  inevitable  In 
any  case,  you  must  have  lost  her  sooner  or  later.  Mr.  Lisle  is 
unbounded  in  his  expressions  of  gratitude  and  respect  for  you 
Have  you  told  her  yet— does  she  know  ?  "  ' 

"  She  knows  rjothing;  my  lord  !— I  cannot  tell  her  \ "     Some 

u^ni;    u"''^  •n''^'^  :!'^  *"  ^^  ^°^*^«  ^^<^  '■ac'^  «  he  spoke 
J^A    f     i  '?"'  *^«he  thought  from  the  first,  that  she  is  the 
child  of  a  dead  cousin  of  my  own.     You  will  kindly  undeceive 
hcr-you  will  tell  her  the  truth.     It  mil  not  be  a  hard  task 
•uch  pleasant  news  ! " 

He  spoke  a  little  bitterly-hi«  Ueart  was  very  sore. 

Lord  Montahen  looked  at  hiir  kindly. 
^kI'^  am  quite  sure  the  young  lady  wUl  sincerely  regret  the 
Jangeofguardians-Lhe  news  is  pleasant,  beyond  doubt,  bu. 
Je  wiU  uot  eave  her  old  friends  without  sincere  regret      Mr 
Mason,  you  know  more  of  this  young  girl's  history  than  even  i 
•to,  for  you  knew  her  mother ! " 

Duke  started.     The  eyes  of  the  two  men  met-  the  scene 
P*'!?l"^«',ftarUed.  alarmed;  the  peer's,  keen,  sh»,p,  intelS 

''Don  t  distress  yourself.  Mr.  M.so.,  ;  I  „m  .  ot  Lw  t^ 
ask  you  any  quesiions.     I  had  much  raihe-r,  indeed   i.? 
hear  the  nu,ther>  name      It  is  a  vary  painful  storylla  u 
hope  the  wo^^t  13  over.  *  ^  ;      'tt  u;. 

He  spoke  with  acertain  gra>e  earnestness  that  made  Duke 
thmk  heat  least  suspected  ihet.uih.  He  averted  his  eyes  un- 
/f^Mi"'  m"^'^  '"  ^'H""'  ^'^"^y  ^'^^^^^"^  butc'arid  not 

"  Miss  ^^le   ?n°"lTh^'    n'^f?  ""  P^^'""'"  "^^^  ^  '^'^-'' 
MISS    Lisle    in.?    I  should  like  to   see    her     I  nresume 

you  have  no  objection  to  my  telling  her  at  once  r  ^ 

course.     She  wUl  be  in  presently.     May  I  ask  how  sooM 
He  stopped,  ashamed  of  the  choking  in  his  throaU 


\ 


f  cached  tht 

dmi/ted  hei 
uke  Mason 
him.      Shff 

got  up,  HLbC 

^airs. 

lid,  quiellj 

)08L" 

ur  adopted 
iuble.  In 
lir.  Lisle  is 
ct  for  you. 

I"  Some 
he  spoke, 
she  is  the 
undeceive 
hard  task 


regret  the 
loubt,  but 
[ret,  Mr. 
an  even  I 

he  scene 
ntelligert. 
:  about  to 
leed,  not 

y — Itt  us 

ide  Duke 
eyes  un- 

ared  not. 
a  smile, 

presume 

once,  of 
soon" — 


rjU  0  tt^tf  Qjr 


y 


THE  NEW  LIFE, 


■91 


••  I  shall  leave  if  at  txiL^Xj  to  you  and  her,"  his  lor  damp  ao- 
iwered.  "  You  are  aware  it  cannot  be  postponed  long,  but  1 
■hall  not  hurry  her  away.  She  is  to  gc  to  school.  I  propoic 
sendmg  her  to  tl?e  C&n^nt  of  »he  Sacied  Heart,  in  Paris.  J' 
^ve  a  prejudice  a|ainst  fashionable  boarding-schools,  as  a  role. 
Had  I  a  daughter,  she  should  uever  enter  one  ;  and  1  believe 
aiOM  nuns  of  the  Sacred  Heart  to  be  the  best  teachers  and 
•OBt  a^comphshed  ladies  under  the  iun.  But,  for  a  few  weeks, 
A  ane  cnuoses— "  , 

He  did  fl^  finish  the  sehtcBce.     The  house  door  opened,  a 
quick,  lights  step  crossed  theiiiL,  a  fresh  young  voice  trUled  * 
merry  tune,  the  parlor  door  opened,  and  PoUy  herself  stood  re 
vealed  ! 

Lord  Montalien  looked  at  her  earnestly.     What  did  he  see  ? 
.m  ja"' slim  figure,  two  flushed  cheeks,  two  bright  blue  eyes, 
and  a  head  "  rumung  over  with  curls."     She  paused  short,  her 
»ong  dying  away  in  a  sort  of  consternation  at  sight  of  so  un 
looked-for  a  visitor.     Duke  rose  up,  and  led  her  forwaixL 

"My  lord,"  he  said,  "this  is  youf  ward.  Polly,  Lord  Mon- 
talien ha^  come  here  to  see  you  and  tell  yon  some  wonderful 
news.  Try  and  not  te  apgry  with  me  for  kas^ng  it  from  yon 
so  long  ;  and  when  you  have  heard  all,  read  this  letter.''- 

He  put  her  father's  note  in  her  passive  hand,  ihd  went  out 
of  the  room.  Polly  sank  down  ih  the  chair  he  had  vacated. 
with  bnght,  large  eyes  of  wonder.^  I^rd  MontaUtfl,  took  her 
hand  m  both  his,  and  looked  at  her  with  a  vmmKaX  went 
straight  to  her  heart.  .  .  'W#-"         „' 

"  You  have  your  father's  face,  my  chUd,"  he  said.  *  J  li^d 
hmi  the  moment  I  saw  him  first ;  and  I  like  you." 

"  My  father ! "  the  girl  uftered.  "  You  knew  my  fiuh^r.  mv 
lord— Duke's  cousin  ? "  ^  '     ' 

J  Not  Duke's  cousin— no  rie  of  blood  or  name  binds  rou  to 
this  good  young  man,  who  has  brought  you  up.  Yom  father  it 
ili^e!  That  letter  you  hold  is  from  him,  and  you  are  PoUv 
Mison  no  longer,  but  Paulina  Liste  1  ' 

She  grew  ashen  pale,  and  began  to  tremble.  IVhat  was  this 
ahewac  about  to  hear?  The  h^nd  Lord  Montalien  held  new 
cold  ;n  his  grasp.  "-    ^^     "  8"=»» 

"  No  n^ed  to  tremble— no  leed  to  fear,  my  child.     Mr  new« 
»•  wonderful  news— the  best  of  news  for  you.     Your  lather  Uvea 
a»d  hat  sent  yoo  a  fortune.     You  are  iheheireit  of  ciriiS^ 
t^ucand  pounds,  and  I  am,  appointed  your  guaidiau.     Mm 
ranliua  I^osle.  let  me  be  the  first  to  congouulate  jou  | " 


1  k 


-iSS,:.., 


f9> 


TOE  UdWN  Oi^  THE  IfEW  U9E 


w 


i 


t 


'  back  in  hex  chair.     Lord  Montalien  lUrted 


She  fell  fluddenlf 
ap  in  alann.' 

^i:x'^i'^'  '^''  '"^  ""*  p*^'  °"*  *»"«  •-"^  -> 

ijl^""  cu  ^"^  '^^  ^  *  ''°*<^*  *•»**  trembled     "  I  shan^ooT 
^  H.H.^h!*"*'  "P  5'*^f'y^"  "^^^^  '1^*^*='  "^  tried  to  mdle 

wJd?.  ;    fi?*  '"'"P'"?  **  ""*'^  <=°'^  »^»"^  «»»  looking 

tondly  in  the  pale  young  face.  Lord  Monialicn  told  her  "aU  " 

mSTRn'S^H^T?  ^*=*^;  J*^  »'^<1  <^ome  over  from  America 
mth  Robert  Hawksley-of  the  story  Robert  Hawksley  had  told 
lum-K)f  the  promise  that  had  passed  between  them -And  how 
Aat  promise  wa9  to  be  redeemed-^f  the  fortune  that  was  hers 
--of  his  guardianship-^f  her  new  name-of  the  new  life  begin- 
J  fting  so  brightly.  <  * 

She  had  heard  aU.  He  paused,  stiU  looking  at  her,  wonder- 
J>g  mwardly  what  manner  of  girl  this  chUd  of  sixteen  wZ. 
She  sat  quite  still,  quite  pale,  the  loud  tick-Uck  of  the  kitchen 
clock  almost  painfully  audible,  the  sunshine  streaming  uuSS 
owed  in  among  Rosanna's  roses  and  geraniums.  At  Uut  dw 
•poke,  to  ask  a  question,  looking  at  the  nobleman  beside  her 
with  big,  solemn  eyes  : 

"  H^Ao  turns  my  mother  t" 

U^  LthrntT""  ''  """*^  *"«''  '  "'™'  "^  -"« 

"Does  Duke  know?" 

"1  cannot  tell;    I  think  it  probable.    But  my  dear  Miii 
t48^c.  there  may  be  reasons  why  you  should  not  know." 

*•  »vhat  reasonl  ?  " 

'<«Ii'^''***""  y"»^"'»''=  fo'-  me  to  explain,"  his  .ordship  said, 
tanung  away  m  some  embarrassment  from  the  gaze  of  the  m 

.Tft»*  you  should  know,  he  will  tell  you." 

••  Right!  A  daughcer  should  know  her  mother's  name'" 
fte  g.rl  repeated  slowly.^  "My  U^  you  have  told  me  about 
■V  &ther-roy  father  who  left  England  five  months  after  hif 
marruge.  and  never  returned  for  two  years.  How  then  caiM 
l£aTS?"  t«  Duke  M^n-howcame  he  to  know  «,yihin, 

-I^.t'*'*?-  «*^  J^**"  '<»  ^^^^'^  Wason,  of  course.^ 


I4W  Mopt^Uca  f^t  rather  awkward  u  he  aofwered-lHf 


klien  suited 

0  Cunt!    ; 
i  hand  aad 

1  shaD^oor 
id  to  snifle 
ell  me  all.' 
till  looking 

her  "all." 
«  America 
ey  had  told 
—and  how 
u  was  here 
life  begin- 

T,  wonder- 
Lteen  was. 
he  kitchen 
ig  unshad- 
it  hut  she 
^side  het 


ther  ne/et 


lear  Miss 


Iship  said, 

>f  the  in 

If  ii  i> 

name?" 
ne  about 

after  his 
len  caobe 
anirthing 


red- At 


rwa  DAWN  ojr  raw  adw  tiWM  ig^ 

UKe  bi%ht  eyes  still  solemnly  scaaned  his  face.  .After  afl 
telUng  this  young  person  her  own  story,  was  not  so  easy  a  mat 
ter^s  he  had  thought  s  J 

J'  My  nwther  was  a  lady,  you  say ;"  PoUy-s  heart  thrilled  ajX 
■fce  said  It     ••  Of  high  birth  and  station  and  wealth,  and  she 
gives  me  away  to  a  poor  mechanic,  and  never  comes  to  see  or 
*  T'u    "^  *"*  *«*'"•     '-^'^  Montalien,  is  my  mother  ahve^  " 

The  situation  was  gT(fwing  worse  and  wgrse;  Loid  MontalieB 
felt  more  uncoinforuble  than  he  had  ever  remembered  feelina 
aa  his  life.  ^ 

"i  iJt*^!  !]^"°"  *°  **'^''*''*  **>*  ^"  ^^  answired  slowly. 
Why  did  she  not  leave  everything,  and  go  to  Amenca  with  * 
my  father  when  he  came  for  her  ?  " 

"  Paulina— I  don't  know.  Yes,  t  do— I'U  tell  you  the  truth, 
come  wha<  may.  She  did  not  return  with  him  because— he 
found  her  the  wife  of  another  man."  > 

The  girl's  very  hps  blanched  at  the  word*  "** 

"The  wife    of  another    manl     She    thought  him  dead, 

"She  did." 

*!  S*  ***  "°*  '**''  ^^^  °'**  "^  undeceive  her  ?  " 
» J'  >J   ^^  **^  England  again   and   returned  to  America." 
tV>nt  blame  your  mother,  ray  child;  she  thought  him  dead; 
she  was  coerced  into  the  second  ffarriaj?<i,  beyond  doubt :  and    ' 
If  alive  still,  thinks  your  father  dead     How  she  came  to  cive 
you  to  Duke  Mason,  Duke  Mason  will  teU  you  himself.     She 
had  cogent  reasons,  be  very  sure;  and  she  could  not  have 
given  yuu  to  a  betterjiian.     Rest  contentifd  with  your  wonder-        ' 
fill  Ijuod  fortune,  n^Ppkr.  and  don't  ask  too  many  questiona.  '■ 

You  are  a  great  heu^  now— trxJind  think  of  that" 

"A  great  heuress  I  "  the  girl  rej^ated,  an(^  there  was  a  woild 
of  bitterness  in  her  tone;  "a  great  heireis,  and  yet  poorei 
than  the  poorest,  with  a  father  and  mother  alive  whom  I  havt 
nevei  seen,  never  may  see^-a  mother  who  <iast  me  off  in  mn 
m&ncy-  -a  father  at  the  other  end  of  the  wcjrld  I  I^id  Moti 
UJen,  you  may  not  tell  me,  Duke  may  not  tlell  me,  but  I  feck 
cf*  '■""  '^y  "mother  is  alive,  I  shall  find  h^r  out  I " 
She  rose  up,  smkins  )ier  hand  lighUy  on  het  breast,  her  eyes 
Aining  with  the  fire  of  inspiration.  ' 

"^!jSf"  SI  ^^y^T^^^^^'  *"*^  *^  **«"  'Thy  she  deserted 
jf^rrT  ..^.  "*''  **^'  ''^■^^she^^^eoked  suddenly  at  ^e  ndte — - — 
Me  Held— "  will  you  permit  me,  my  lord  ?  "  " 

He  bowed  his  heiul  silently.    She  opened  the  note  kodfread 


M 


V 


Imi 


V 


i. 


Id* 


raw  /)^fKy  ofirifE  ifMw  ute. 


V     "- 


Jt  dropped  from  her  fing^^rs,  she  cov<ired  her  face  with  he 
I»nd8,,and  the  tears  fell,  thick  antl  fast  Her  moods  were  the 
moods  of  an  April  day,  sunshin*-  arid  shower,  bnabt  and  s^.ort 
lived.  \^  - 

She  looked  up  at  last  and  dashed  them  away,  smiling  radi 
■tttlf.  The  color  came  back  to  her  cheeks,  the  glad  s>uk' 
ioher  eyes,  the  joyous  ring  to  her  yoice.  She  was  rich,  rid 
•eyond  her  wildest  dreamk.  She  was  a  young  lady  of  bir* 
lod  fortune.  Lord  Alontalien  ^as^her  guardian.  AU  th- 
nnons  of  her  life  were  realized— mere  than  realized  Wai 
Mks  dreaming  or  awake  ?  '  ^ 

"It  is  like  a  fairy  tal^/'  she  said;  "like  a  story  from  the 
A|»bian  Nights.  Qh,  my  lofd,  is  all  this  true  you  have  beea 
teUmg  me  ?     Am  I  asleep  or  in  a  dream  ?"•'      -^ 

Lord  Montalien  git  up  to  go  with  a  smile,  holding  out  hit 
hand  m  farewell.  ;  ^ 

"  Cood-by  for  the  present,  Miss  Lisle.-  I  shall  call  again  to 
morrow  ^By  that  time  you  will  probably  have  convinced 
yourself  that  It  is  a  very  pleasant  reality.  Vou.^and  your  good 
incQds  here,  shall  fix  the  time  of  your  departure.  I  shall  not 
hurry  you,  but  i  shall  certainly  expect  you  during  your  stay  in 
apeckhayen  to  be  a  constant  visitor  at  the  Priory  "      " 

Polly  tliought  of  Allan  Fane  and  Miss  Hautton,  and  flushed 
all  over  her  fair  face. 

"  Or  why  not  make  your  home  altogether  at  the  Priory  dur 
ing  the  few  weeks  you  remain  ?  "  urged'  Lord  Montalien  "  It 
is  your  home  now  and  for  the  future,  you  know,  and  1  need  not 
tell  you  how  charmed  we  all  will  be." 

"And  le^ve  Duke  and  Roraniia!"  Polly  said,  looking  at 
.rtheMmt"'     "^'^  "^'  "»>'  »°^<^     Thank  you  very  nfud. 

"At  least  you  witf  come  to  see  us  every  day ?" 
.      PoUy  shook  her  head. 
_  "^oi  will  dine  widi  us,  then,'once  before  you  go.     Don't  be 
•HjJwMite,  Miss  Lisle,  and  force  me  mto  the  rdi^  of  tyrannidl 
.  ^oardian  so  soon."  '  *"*"**' 

"  Well — if  you  insist — but — " 
,  Her  reluctance  w^  very  visible.     It  was  not  shyness  that  he 
■«w.     It  the  gu-1  had  been  bom  in  a  palace  her  manner  could 

ISI„     ik  »  "^  ™°''f  "l^'P'/'  """'^  "^^'^'■^J'  "'ore  unaff*ct«dh 
•My.     What^wasit?     Lord  Montalien  wondered. 


,H^  knowaotne  of  my  people,  t  think,^'  he  iaiff ;  mPSn^^ 


< 


MM  yajr  tell  me  they  are  acquainted  with  you,  and  AiUn  Fine 
li  Vnti*  an  intuuate  friMHi" 


T 


N 


ze  with  he 
<ls  were  the 
t  and  stiort 

liiling  radi 
lad  spaikl 
s  rich,  rid 
dy  of  hvcA 
1.  AU  the 
ized.     Wju 

y  from  the 
have  becB 

ing  out  hit 

11  again  to- 
convinced 
your  good 
[  shall  not 
)ur  stay  in 

nd  flushed 

*riory  dur 

lien.  ■    "  It 

need  not 

ooking  at 
ery  much 


Don't  be 
yrannical 


» that  he 
ner  could 


J 


rm  DAWN  ow  Tm  vmw  zwl 


WM  watching  her  cloiely,  and  tJ*e  moy  Kghi  shone  Mai. 


Ian  Fane 


He 

in  the  iensitjve  «,»,c.     -x luti  waa  h  -      ih*  ,»— 

once  that  Mr    !?>,.    u,j1  "*  J*^'  unacisiUMJC 

"I  !k  n  V  ^*»'r.  '°-«»«"ow."  he  jaid,  moving  to  the  doer 
I  shall  fetch  Onpper  (Orin>er's  ymuhwyer.  n.yXri^j 
he  hjis  come  down  here  to  draw  up  thtf  n.ieswv  dSuLnn 
•PP<,mrinfr  me  jruu,  ^^,rdian.  and  To  ^^Xr  "you  t^e  ri 
^  cnfe^tances  und^r  whldt  you  come  into  V^  fortune  Th?. 
T.'^T''^'  """a*^tunconMder,n«y„iTthe?,;t^„^^^ 
natural     Now,  .«j/^e;^.  g.^xi  daf  tc  you.     Kt  S'  S 

the^u«.  of  advising  yoa  }     Of  cour-e  yii  wiliT^  " 

.        Pol  y  Jaughed.     She  was  dispownl  to  like  tWs  nlea«ant  h# 
guardian  already;  a^^,!,  indeedTwa,  nHaxd  tST  rZf 
w^ien  tahke  1  ord  Montalie^  .She  watchS^biii'^/^JSJ' 
Atfn  she  went  slowly  mtp  the  house.     She  op«eS^h«  tSi' 

mother  hve»,  my  child,"  ie  wrw*  •  ".  U.4,  J^  t       j  !^?* 
the  wrfe  of  another  ^t^^ ^Xt\Z  tl^x^^       ^  \^ 

-  ^^<^  thoughts  of  her.  ^ ^^^^ :!:^^Ti^^:^z^t.''^ 

Of  h  "  fS.*'  '•^""'  ^*  it  in  her  b«u«,  and  went  in  search 

^■itTTV^  ^"'"^'l*  *^»  *«•  ^'t<^*«.  liking  unuttembh 
rim  aiid  stern    to  hide  all  she  felt.     "  Duke^  fpS^S 
said  curtly  to  tne  gi^l.  and  tuhied  her  hackuMn  hrf^?U«» 
^mdcd  the  spinster  undoubtedly  ^ra^^tKifnot^stZ 
enough  to  bear  the  sight  o<,J>oily  J„^t  then.  ''**^    ' 

l^e  was^pamtmg  jinU  uukUilv.^  funously-^waM  a  M*n  .-rf 
jreat  mental  disturbance.     H.  looked-  rZft^  hiXrl 

••Weil,  Dukel'^'^ 
P«uieM  ana  Uuie  i  aJence  meant ;  ane  imaentooii  ttiem  per 


.'*« 


tf« 


PAWN  OP  tBM  VMW  UPA, 


^ly,  AaJ  kscej  :haa  hetttt  in  this  hoar  than  erer  befeie  tt 

">#ki>  knowc  bat  I  have  b«eo  a  prophet,"  the  •cc»e-paintfcr 
»iJ,  jrtiil  trying  to  speak  ^ayly.     '•  You  may  be  a  D 


Miss  Lisl6      I 


sunpose 
ward   and  the 


is  the 


corre 
heiress  of  eighty 


•.nneis  yet: 
thing  to  caU  Ixird 


thmisami,  Ifiv 


Montalien's 
Lisle." 
"Ehikel" 

He  dropped  his  bpiiali  and  held  out  his  hand.  ' 
••1  wish  YOU  joy*  thichess— upon  my  soul  1  do. I     And  I 
lope  you'h  tfe  as  happy  in  your  new  life  as— as  I  have  tiiet'  i; 
luke  you  in  this.     You're  going  away,  my  dear — going  away 
to  come  back  no  more ;  but  1  know  vou  will  not  quite  foraet 
Duke  and  Rosanna."  7 

His  voice  brok«  He  drrpped  her  nand  and  rvalkcd  away 
to  the  window  to  hide  ihe  tears  of  which  his  oianhodd  \r« 
ashamed.  Two  white  amis  were  about  his  oeca  in  an  instant, 
two  warm  lips  imp«(luously  kissing  his  averted  face. 

"  Duke  I  Duke  1  dear  old  Duke  I  the  best,  the  kindest  frient' 
erer  was  m  this  world  I  Forget  you  and  Rosanna  I  Why 
what  a  horrible  little  monster  you  must  think  me !  And  j 
don't  know  what  you  mean  Ulking  about  my  going  away,  nevej 
to  come  back  I  If  I  were  Queen  Victoria's  ward,  and  heiresi 
of  fifty  hundred  million  pounds,"  cried  this  impetuous  youns 
woman,  "  1  should  come  back  Jur.t  the  same.  This  is  my  home 
—at  least  uniil  my  father  returns  from  California  to  claim  me. 
His  right  is  first,  and  meat  sacred  Oh,  Duke  I  to  think,  Polly 
Mason  should  ever  have  had  a  father  1 " 

Duke  smUed  in  spite  of  himsel£ 

"  It  it  extraordinary.  I  should  have  liked  tojhave  told  jm 
ages  ago,  but  you  see  I  was  bound  by  promises  to  both,  and 
dared  hot" 

"  Promises  to  both.     That  means  my  mother,  I  suppose  ?  " 

'^  Your  mother.     Yes,  Duchess." 

"Tell  me  all  about  her,  Duke.  My  mother  I  how  strange  it 
•Bonds  I  What  was  she  like?  Was  she  handsome?  Am  I 
nke  her?  That  sounds  conceited,  I  am  afraid,  but  I  don'f 
Bieanfe  sa" 

*«  She  was—she  is  beaut'ful,  and  you  are  not  in  the  least  like 
ht^  You  have  your  father's  face  and  eyes,'and  a  rery  good 
fcce  and  eyes  they  are.    Jifo- eyes  w^e  black 


thanjrou." 
VU  ipak*  dreamOf ,  tfainkin(  of  ite  gratt,  dM|MMn|  IdM* 


■A 


rmm  dawn  o^  tmh  hew  utm. 


19^ 


tjt%  liat  hkA  looked  fit  him  lo  Uteljr,  MI  of  womao't  uttemMMt 
woe 

"  Dak<f  I  doD't  think  I  like  my  mother  t    She  mott  \ar% 

been  weak  find  cold  hearted.     U'hy  diJ  the  give  me  up?     Wh) 

^did  she  marry  that  other  inan^    I  hate  to  think  of  it  eirea, 

Why  wa.s  she  not  fait)ifal  through  all  things — to  death — to  tM 

husband  and  child  she  loved  }  " 

The  girl's  eves  flashed— the  rosy  light  so  quick  to  solne  ta^- 
go,  under  that  transparent  skin,  lit  her  gypsy  face  once  more 

"  Don't  you  blame  her.  Duchess,"  Duke  answered,  gravely, 
"since  she  did  it  for  your  sake.  Slie  would  have  preferred 
death  to  niarrying  Sir  -^J^  I  mean,  man^nng  again  on  her  own 
account  Sho  sacrificeJNRrsclf  for  you  Yuu  were  taken  frono 
t  her  at  your  birth  ;  siu  knew  you  lived,  Lut  nothing  mote,  and 
she  yearned  to  possess  you.  She  feared  tor  you  more  than  she 
feared  for  herself — for  your  future  happiness,  life  even;  and 
when  you  were  niarle  the  price  of  her  sacrifice  she  consented. 
She  had  borne  imprisonment,  even  cruelty,  rather  than  yield. 
She  was  never  more  faithful  to  the  husband  ihe  thought  dead 
iian  in  the  hour  when  he  saw  her  at  the  altar,  the  bride  of 
another  man  ;  for  she  sacrificed. her  own  life  to  save  his  child.  ^ 
^c  gave  you  to  me — with  me  she?  knew  y6u  would  be  safe,  if"^' 
leasl,  and  she  dared  not  keep  you  hersel£  Your  molner  is  the 
purest,  the  .noblest,  the  most  injured  woman  on  earth  ;  a  mar 
tyr,  Duchess,  as  sur<;!y  as  ever  suffering  made  a  martyr.  Don't 
you  blame  her — 1  cannot  bear  to  hear  yoo." 

"  You  loved  my  muth<!r  like  this,  Duke  }  " 

"  1  leverenced  her.  Miss  Lisle.     I  pity  her  as  I  never  pitied 
"any  one  in  my  life.     She  is  veri^  ^very  unhappy." 

"  Is — is  her  husband  unkind  m  her  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  so,  my  dear.  And  she  knows  yon  live,  and  ihe 
loves  you  and  must  live  apart  from  you,  and  deny  you  a 
ttotlier's  care.     Is  that  not  enough  of  itself?" 

"  Duke,"  PoHy  said,  entreatingly,  "  tell  me  her  name.  Do  I 
1  let  me  go  to  her-  -only  once,  ever  so  secretly,  and  kiss  her,  uA 
tell  her  1  love  her,  and  am  sorry  for  her  too.  Do  I  Oh,  Duke 
if  you  ever  cared  for  your  little  Ducheti,  whom  yoo  are  goiqg 
to  lose,  tell  me  her  name  1 " 

She  clasped  her    arms  once  more  around  lu#^iSeck;  ihe 
cnaaed  him  with  tean  and  kisses.    The  atrong  man  tiopfclied 
"■  inderihat  clasp.  "" ""'""  -,-^.„.v-_x;?==i:== 

**  i  can  t.  Duchess—don't  ask  me.    God  knows  I  wovUf  re 
fiiae  fcm  nochinp  ^  i  oould,  bot  it  most  not  be.     Yon  don 


0 


196 


nm  DAWN  OP   TIfE  NSW  LIFE, 


S^JTa.***^!.^  "«*;  >  content     Ix>ve   her  w   oracJi   m 
^tj^  '*  """"^^i"'  "  ^-^'^  ^^^  f"'  the  best.      bS 

Ycmr  mother  g»vc  u  me  on  the  night  I  siw  her  Ar,t '       "^ 
A^esf  fegjjf        °P**  ""«  *°^  ""^  "  *»"  «'^'  "^  ''o")^  •  »K». 

And  It  u  all  1  may  ever  know  of  her,"  Polly  sighed  "  li 
£iftr»  "^  *"^  r^^  ""^"S:*-  '  ««^  t°  think  ft  ^uld  U 
iS^i^  I"^'  *  history  _t«  be  a  heroine  of  romance;  and 
i-^  ^  loMiehow  It  saddens  me  more  than  amnhin. 
ever  did  before  To  think  that  I  shotUd  have  a  liheTwhS 
dare  no*  acknowledge  me;  that  some  day  I  may  m^?heT  Ind 
J>xj«  at  her  and    not  know  her.    To  Itnk  /sEd  have  a 

^Jl  ^  •'*•*  '^^  *^^  '^^^^^  *^"™gh  no  fault  of  his,  and 
^^''mT  V*^.  But  I  will  go  t,  him,  if  he  doS  not 

SSd.^  SI  H  J.  '  ?"^^'  "*"°  "J'  ^''^  gears'  school-life  are 
ended,  if  he  does  not  return  to  me  I  will  go  to  him  It  will 
De  hke  'Ehrabeth  and  the  Kail*,  of  Siberia  ^  over  Cain      A^d 

Xr  na»!  «  ''^  ***  *^"^  "^  ^*  'P^t,  dashing  off  pagi^ 
after  page  m  an  mipetuou.,  ninning  hand.     There  was  no  eS 

«i°d^^.2.r  '"n  "^  '"^"^  *"'  -^^^  "^  -*-  of  erdrati^;^ 

S?rn^     *i    'P*="»"8  "'I  graiiunar ;  but  when  one's  heart  is 

d?es  a  S«TT  *"^  ""*  *'  '^^^""8  person  of  sixteen,  whi 
does  a.htllc  broken  orfnography  or   syntax    signify?     Pollv's 

^L.1:  ^^"l  ^''"'^'  °"'  *"  ^"  Krancsro,  smiled  a  good  dc^ 
over  this  eptstle  even  with  the  tears  in  his  eyes.  * 

came'o«rTLr'l  ''^"  '^'^^'*-     ^''"^^   ^»*«    »«'""«^'   stars 
came  o^t  that  night,  every  man,  woman,  and  child  in  Soeck' 

■**»??  •»  ^.    The  heiress  herself  had  rushed  hea.'.Icng  to  see 

i^^f?~  Lf  '''^"  picture,  which  .Vliss  Wairen  had  seen 
dJJJ^J^n  J"'"^  and  promised  her  unlimited  jewelry  and 
(irr-goods,  when  she  came  into  her  fortune. 

AiJrl;  "***"  '  ''*''*'  '^*'"°*  y""  "hall  come  an<s  Uve  with  me. 
Abcvrfjfoa  are  not  marrir^ "   ">""-  — -J     -      •     •       ^^ 


long,  long  letters ;  and  I  shall  aA 


Mooi^lien  for  enough  of  my  fartaac  lo  bay  a  locket  fo 


. 


'\ 


.  II 


,J&^ 


m  DAWN  OP  THR   fTEW  UFM.  ,gg 

rd.S^'^S.e;^  TTJ  '"''':"'•  '^  '"*"^  5^-     >^»^  oK  Alice » 

isbng  «  Hive  ^^  ''"''  ''^'^  *  '"'^  ^^^  ^«  ^^^  of  It* 

Her  d/eanis  a/^^  rather  brokerj  that  nieht  and  it  »^^^^  L 

Her  the  new  day  would  never  dawn.     She  h^f  fearid^e^^ 

Te^Wf'^t  !/n  "J'^  '^^''"^^^'  *"^  ^hVwoui^'wa^/t:^ 

Pl^hia  !  itu  r.^""""  again,  instead  of  Miss  PauUna  JS 

.-^j!     wu  •         '  ''•^*^  repeated  the  pretty  name  over  anJ^« 

JTpolirt  TT'/'^^f^'*^  ^"^^^>-     Sn?  had  hated  he"  n^ 
tJ^y  ^\^?u'^  "^  '^"«^^  ^°'  so^e  beautiful,  stately  awS? 

her  tenfold  more  pleasure  than  the  thought  of  her  nX  Xr 

le«rf  '^°"*^''^"  came  over  next  day  with  Mr.  Grippen  which 

!Sr     ^^'V^"  r^"^^^  documents  tied  with  red  tae^ 

read  them  solenmly  aloud  to  his  bewildered  little  chent     I't  wa^ 

wiiS[ht  mind  ^a'"' r^"  '^°">'  "^^P^  °-  -  two^conci  i^^ 

waJd  umn  "?'"*^,S^^f»^^^ '"  Passmg.     She  was  Lord  Montalien's 

ward  until  she  ohould  come  of  ag^  or  marrv      If  I  «rH  m     ? 

hen  d.ed  before  either  of  U,ose  e'veni^^po,"  of  a^SS 

•  new  guardian  was  vested  in  him.     AnH  in  .h.  i,  '^'^?[* 

This  was  the  proviso  which  his  lordship  had  mentioned  on 
S  £.r?7  tr  ^  """^•'>^-     ^^  '^  easy  en^ghb^elSS 

hlr  fr       .'^'''^  *.°^  ^'''''^^  ^°  underaund  it-li   was  To  S?ve 
her  from  her  mother's  fate      How  litti.  k-^  T-  .5 

w  Jd'^'wirfcalL^'^  ?"  ^"T  ^^^  "P°»  Lo^d  Montaliek'. 

Mf  ,^fnci:tht:^^°o"urL^^^^^^^^^        r*-^ 

;;dmijed  and  liked  ve^^^uch,  a^d  st\t e^'cU'r  ^ 
repelled  her  with  his  coarse  mouth  and  fulsome  cXhSk^ 
St.SlTJS'l;^''  '^'?  "*  her  with  such  SS^,  x 

^'TmL  n5f'^,  Chartens  could  not  have  the  happKSnT 
■M  Sf  «lfi^i:i  r  I  *^»""'"«  acquaintance.     Lady  Charterii 
•M  lU,  confinorl  to  her  room-a  nervou.,  hysterical  atuSTbS  ' 


^^!a^^^&»%vf„.-  ^lia^^iM^  l .:-,?:,  :.y 


m  DA¥rN  OP  THR  tfRW  UPM. 

woaM  probablf  be  able  to  trayel  on  the  momnr,  ivfaen  Iw  pto^ 
poMd  returning  tojown  to  consult  an  eminent  phjnidan  oa 
S^ii?^**^  o^  her  health.     Miss  Lisle  listened  very  coldly,  ibe 
disliked  both  him  and  his  daughter,  and  was  relieved  when  they 
went  away.     Miss  Hautton  also  called  with  her  kinsman,  Lorrf 
Montalien,    elegant   of  costume,   indisputably  high-bred  tmi 
patncian,  but  looking  more  elderly  and  fad^d  than  ever  by  con 
trut  with  that  fresh,  bright  face.     Mr.  Allan  Fane^J  fuH  caD 
—he  was  eating  his  very  heart  out  with  rage  and  baffled  love. 
Retribution  had  come  verv  swiftly  to  the  tailor's  ambitious  son. 
Lord  Montalien's  ward,  obeying  the  behests  of  her  guard 
un,  spent  one  evening  at  the  Priory.     Only  one— Duke  and 
Rosanna  must  have  all  the  rest.     She  went  dressed  in  white 
t^latan  (white  was  tne  proper  thing  for  a  heroine),  with  a  blue 
nbbon  m  her  ambei    curls,  and  a  blue  belt  around  her  slim 
waist     And  she  looked  lovely !     The  white  arms  and  neck 
ghminered  through  the  flimsy  larlaun,  and  there  was  a  flush  on 
her  cheeks  and  a  light  in  her  eyes.     She  entered  those  stately 
rooms  a  guest,  an  equal,  she  who  had  been  Polly  Mason  last 
week ;  and  she  sat  at  Lord  MonUlien's  right  hand  at  dinnei 
and  was  the  little  queen  of  the  feast.     The  dishes  at  that  din- 
ner were  of  '•  such  stuff  as  dreams  are  made  of."     She  had 
things  put  on  her  plate,  and  she  ate  them,  and  wondered  in- 
wardly all  the  while  what  on  earth  they  could  be.     She  drank 
some  sparkling  Moselle,  and  she  had  a  slice   of  pine-apple, 
and  did  not  make  one  single  mistake.     She  was  not  awkward, 
she  was  in  no  way  embarrassed,  neither  was  she  in  the  least  *"<». 
ward.     Altogether  she  was  charming,  and  Ix)rd  Montalien  -as 
secretly  fascinated  by  his  little  ward. 

"  How  true  and  clear  she  rings!"  he  thought ;  "if  she  had 
been  bred  a  countess  her  manners  could  not  be  more  simple 
and  perfect  What  a  charming  little  rose-bud  she  is,  and  how 
gloriously  destined  to  bloom  in  the  future  I " 

AUan  Fane  sat  opposite  "Miss  Lisle"  at  dinner,  widi  tli« 
aided  eyes  of  his  high-bom  betrothed  fixed  idly  apon  him. 
He  was  pale  and  cold,  he  sat  silent  at  the  banquet,  with  dw 
ubled  vulture  of  Prometheus  gnawing  at  his  vitals  I  Thit 
beautiful  little  heiress  might  have  been  his,  in  thiis  hour,  «iid  he 
had  given  her  up,  and  bound  himself  to  a  woman  he  did  not 
^M^ never  could  love.  "It  might  have  tx;en.'  ^  He  h»L^ 
"Wiodpr  Hi  IS^perj  with  his  own  hand.  If  Polly  thirsted  lot 
vengeance  on  this  recreant  lover  of  hers,  she  had  it  But  iIm 
od  ncM.:  ihe  had  met  him  iri|h  a  w^ile  of  yetUct  fiiovolni^i 


*V-,.i,   :.- 


•<,4iU4i».*^  -*  . 


i-^' 


TMM  04WN  OP 


tiMW  U9S, 


aoi 


good  hnnior  and  forgiveness.  He  was  so  utterljr  indifferrct  to 
her  row,  that  £he  tuid  no  room  in  her  heart  for  him  even  to 
wian  him  unhappy. 

He  might  many  Miss  Hautton  to-morrow,  and  she  would  gt 
tc  hi'  wedding  with  pleasure.  He  knew  it  too ;  no  wouian'i 
ores  ever  looked  so  frankly  into  the  eyes  of  a  man  for  whom 
ine  cared  one  straw. 

In  the  drawing-room  after  dinner,  with  solne  little  urging, 
PoUy  sang.  She  did  not  mind  singing  at  all,  but  she  on^ 
fflay'ed  accompaniments  of  her  own ;  she  did  not  understand  tha 
|Mano. 

"*  What  does  that  matter.  Miss  Lisle,"  said  Guy  Eaiiscourt , 
"who  cares  for  the  accompaniment  /  know  you  cski  sing— 
I've  heard  you."  Polly  laughed,  and  blushed  at  the  remem 
brance.  "  That  song  has  haunted  me  ever  since,  I  assure  you 
Sing  it  asain.  Miss  Lisle,  and  exercise  it."  \ 

He  led  her  to  the  piano,  and  she  obeyed.  Her  sw^t,  cleai 
voice  filled  the  rooms.  With  proper  training  that  voice  alone 
■light  have  made  her  fortune.     She  sang  again  **  County  Guy." 

"AbCoantyGinrt  di«  hoar  b  alch, 

Tbe  nia  baa  left  the  lea. 
The  ormnc*  Sowei  pcHunw*  th*  buw, 

'Dm  breoe  i*  oothe  wok. 
The  Urk  whow  lay  Lai  tnllcd  aO  day 

Siti  hukhcil.  hispartBer  Qvk^ 
Bteeaa,  btrd,  aod  Samm  ocafeM  ^  hont, 

Bui  when  is  County  Guy  t" 

He  was  beside  her,  bending  over  her,  Kis  dark,  dreamy, 
Italian  eyes  fixed  on  her  face.  VVIiat  did  Guy  Earlscourt  tliiidc 
of  her  ?  In  days  to  come  did  that  sweet,  youthful  face  haunt 
his  dreams  ?  In  the  girl's  memory  that-  night  lived  forevei,  the 
first  of  her  new  existence,  and  there  were  hours  when  Guy 
Earlscourfs  dark  face  rose  up  before  her,  like  the  face  of  a 
reproachful  ghost  She  never  forgot  it^  nor  him,  as  he  stoo^^ 
tibere  beside  her,  the  dark  beauty  of  his  southern  fiaice,  and  hit' 
jet-black  hair,  such  k  marked  contrast  to  her  own.  llowliand 
■ome  he  had  looked !  How  happy  she  had  been  f  She  had 
le&son  to  remember  it — bitterly  in  the  years  to  come. 

Allan  Fane,  hovering  afar  off,  took  his  punishment  in  sullea 
nlence.  He  had  lost  her  himself,  but  that  was  no  reason  whj 
be  should  not  be  savage'y  jcaIous  of  every  other  man  on  whom 
Ae  smiled,  tiuy  had  Ijeen  "Ks  waiwMt  fri*»nd— fie^  felt  as 
lojraUy  toward  him  as  it  was  in  hit  shifting,  selfikh  nature  to  bt 
k^al  to  any  one,  but  he  could  haw  murdered  him  t»iif|^ 


,i-V 


*i^(*     <i4^  •.  (i  * 


'■•*«.:v 


JJ-  i 


T»B  LAST  BATf. 


ITiit  irH  hif  &«!«»«  ward,  with  her  noble  fortune  het  peerie« 
beauty,  would  be  one  day  Guy  Earlscourfs  wife,  and  he-3 
tookedwitli  sullen,  angry  eyes  at  Diana  Hautton,  with  her  three- 
•nd-ihirty  years  and  her  faded  face,  and  walked  out  of  the  room 
l^.^K^^'^*'  ^'""'f;     ?^.  ^*  ^"'""^^  ^^"  ^«  faUing ;  he 

Mder  the  fragrant  trees,  up  and  down,  up  and  do»Tu  It  gre» 
ate-- Miss  Lisle  was  driven  home— she  insisted  upon  ii-Ke 
fceaid  the  last  sound  of  the  wheels  that  bore  her  away,  and  then 
ie  flung  hunself  on  the  wet  g^ass,  face  downward,  and  knew 
DC  lud  lost  forever  the  happiness  of  his  life; 


X' 


vjfr 


CHAPTER  X. 


THX  LAST  DAY. 

EIE  last  day  had  come. 

It  was  two  weeks  preCisclv  since  she  had  first  heard 
the  wonderful  news,  and  Miss  Paulina  Lisle  was  en- 
tirely  ready.     The  warmth  and  spfendor  of  mid-Tulv 
iay  over  Ae  eartli.     Montalien  Priory  looked  glorious  in  i^ 
green  and   golden  wealth,  its    rich   cornfields,  its  spreading 
grassy  slopes,  down  to  the  ceaseless  sea,  and  its  dense  deptlS 
of  woodland,  where  the   rare   red-deer   herded.     The  world 
had    always   been    a  bright  and  delightful  world    to  PoUv 
but  never  half  so  bright^  half  so  dehghtful  as  now.     Every 
dream  of  her  life,  it  seemed  to  her,  was  realized-she  had  a 
hvjng  fatber  and  mother,  like  other  people-she  was  the  mis- 
trew  of  iHmwtable  wealth,  it  seemed  to  \&i~\jox(i.  Montalien 
was  her  guardian,  and  his  world  and  his  order  henceforth  herai 
There  were  tunes  when  this  excitable  nature  was  nearly  wild 
with  joy-other  ttmes  when,  looking  at  the  sad,  silent  faies  of 
ker  two  old  fnends,  her  tender  heart  was  stricken  with  remorse, 
and  she  would  flmg  herself  into  their  arms,  and  passionately  crj 
wit  ahe  was  a  wretch,  a  selfish,  ungrateful  wretch,  to  feel  aU  thii 
MiM^w^abe  was  going  away  from  them  for  two l«>ng,  endleM 
jwaii.^    Two  years!    Those  faithfuhheans  knew ^betiwlSiir^ 
ttat :  MM  fw  two  year*,  but  for  aU  tirae-4Mever.     When  thay 


X' 


# 


T^  LAST  DAY, 


'^ 


MS 


had  Mid  good-by,  they  had  said  it ;,  their  lives  lav  apart  H 
wras  Duke  himself  who  hurried  on  the  preparations'  for  depart- 
ore.  Had  he  so  willed  it,  the  girl  might  have  remained  with 
them  until  September,  when  the  Convent  of  the  Sacred  Heart 
opened  Us  school  But  it  was  ineviublc.  and  the  soonet  it  «ai 
all  over  the  better. 

A  sort  of  dull  resignation  might  come  when  she  was  jrone— 
If  any  calm,  a  calm  despair."  To  see  her  no^,  knowing  it 
^ns  the  last  tune,  was  simply  intolerable.  Lord  Montalicn 
had  made  a  pioposal  of  taking  the  young  lady  for  a  midsum- 
mer  holiday  sr  ami>er  through  southern  France,  the  TyroL  and 
up  the  Rhine ;  and  Polly's  eyes  had  flashed  their  electric,  joy- 
ous light  for  an  instant,  and  then  grewX^T  grave  and  tender. 

Thank  you— no,  my  lord,"  she  said ;  "I  had  rather  not 
go  ;  1  want  to  stay  with— with  them  to  the  last" 
But  Duke  had  decided  differently.  \ 

"  You  shall  go,  Duchess  ;  never  minkabout  us ;  we  are  ffoina 
to  lose  you,  and  what  does  a  week  or  two  earlier  matter?  You 
shall  go  to  southern  France  as  soon  as  ever  Rosanna  has  aU 
your  things  ready." 

Her  things  were  all  ready  now,  and  the  day  ^as  fixed  for 

departure.     It  was  a  wonderful  fit-out  in  this  young  lady's  eyes 

-silks  and  muslms  of  all  hues  and  the  finest  textures,  and 

linen,  like  drifted  snow,  trimmed  with  re^l  Irish  lace.    Nothin* 

hke  It  had  ever  dazzled  the  eyes  of  the  late  Miss  Mason's 

mends.     That  seven  hundred  pounds,  so  long  laid  «,way  in  the 

bank,  was  drawn  forth  to  furnish  this  wardrobe.     For  himself 

and  sister,  Mr.  Mason  positively  refused  a  farthing.     His  pale 

face  flushed— his  mild  eyes  quite  flashed  as  Lord  Moutalien. 

ever  so  delicately  ftiade  the  offer.     "  All  the  gold  in  the  Bank 

of  England  could  not  repay  me  for  the  loss  ^  Polly,"  he  said. 

Unless  you  want  to  insult  me,  my  lord,  you  will  never  Ulude 

to  th«s  again." 

For  once  Duke  was  dignified.     Lord  MontaUen  wrung  his 
hand,  and  looked  at  him  admiringly.  ^ 

"You  are  a  fine  fellow,"  he  answered  simply,  "and  have  fal. 
Iiired  your  trust  to  Robert  Lisle  right  loyally." 

For  Polly,  she  would  have  liked  to  fiU  the  little  house  with 
tonptuoiu  adomings,  and  load^down  hei^two  friends  with  cosU? 
imsr^^liey-refiised  everyihtng,  andtf  was  only  w^n,  hurt  anf 
wounded,  the  girl  was  turning  away,  that  Duke  cocsented  to 
fepiace  his  big  sdver  watch  widi  a  gold  patent  lever,  and  Ro- 
■^"^  ber  nia^r  brown  with  a  new  bbck  iflk,  stiff  enough  i^ 


€ 


M4 


DAY. 


■X 


•*it8  gUsteninf  richness  to  stiand  alo^e.     Miss  Alice  Warree  fot 


a  locket  and  chain,  and  numbers^pf  pretty  ornaments  besidCi 
She  woald  have  Hked  to  have  sent  gold  wjitches  and  silk 
dresses  to  every  one  in  S|>eckhaven — the  chanty  children  in- 
cluded, ahe  had  even  made  friends  vHth  her  old  foe,  mik 
whom  she  had  waged  vendetta  so  long.  She  had  met  EUzt 
Long  oh  the  street,  and  that  young  woman  had  turned  a«r%) 
with  sullen  eyes  and  .bitterest  envy.  There  had  been  a  mo 
unenf  s  struggle  in  Polly's  breast — then  that  generous  nature 
corquered,  and  she  went  up  to  her  with  extended  hand  and 
pleading  eyes. 

♦•1  am  going  away,  Eliza,"  she  said  ;  "don't  let  us  part  bad 
.friends.  I  dare  say  I  have  been  most  in  ^ult  all  through,  but 
I  am  sorry.     Do  shake  hands  I " 

Brave  word^  to  comei  from  so  proud  a  spirit  I  They  had 
melted  Eliza,  and  a  reconciliation  took  place  there  and  then. 
And  that  night,  when  the  handsoniest  brooch  and  ear-rings 
money  could  buy  in  the  town  reached  Miss  Long,  she  fairly 
gave  way  and  sobbed  over  them,  struck  with  surprise  and  con- 
trition. -  She  was  at  peace  with  the  world  and  all  therein — 
happy  Polly — and  no  shadow  of  the  darkness  to  come  marrod 
to-day's  brightness.  *' 

The  visitors  at  the  Priory  were  nearly  all  gone.  '  Sir  Vane 
Charteris,  his  ^e  and  daughter,  had  left  the  day  before  the  one 
on  which  the  heiress  dined  here.     My-  lady,  closely  veiled,  and 


tottering  as  she 
Once,  as  Lord 
ing  his  hand  in 


walked,  came  forth  leanmg  o^  her  maid's  arm. 
Montalien  said  farewell,  she  had  paiised,  catcb- 
both  her  own,  and  clinging  to  it  as  though  ha 
last  hope  were  I  there.  But  Sir  Vane  had  come  forth,  and  sIm 
had  dropped  iti  and  fallen  back  in  a  comer  of  the  travelUng 
t^riaf^e,  with  her  black  veil  over  her  face,  and  so  the  peer  saw 
her  for  the  last  time  on  earth. 

MiikS  Hautton  had  gone  to  Scotland  two  days  after,  to  join 
life  Duchess  ojf  Clanronald ;  Mr.  Fane  was  to  meet  them  in 
l/>ndon,  and  ^cc^ipany  them  to  the  Italian  I^kes ;  I^rd 
Montalien,  wii(|n  ml  ward  was  safely  deposited  in  her  convsnt 
•chool,  was  to  i  start^  for  Syria ;  Francis  Earlscourt  was  guing 
bock  to  Oxford  to  read  for  his  degree  ;  and  Guy  wa^  .o  rejoin 
his  regiment  at  |Cnighf  s  Bridge.  So  the  actors  it.  this  Uie- 
drama  were  situfted  this  twenty-first  of  July,  hxedior  PoUjii^ 
departure.  Widely  enough  separated,  it  would  seem,  tut  like 
Ac  cards  in  the  same  pack — sure  ta  come  together  again  9 
ttM  mliveHMl  ilMiffle. 


n' 


•-J^ 


.^li^.'vM&s.^.t 


n»  LAST  D Alt. 


^ 


The*  were  to  tta.v  by  the  noon-day  mail,  in  time  to  catch 
Ibe  tkiBl  train  dut  ewning  for  Folkestone.  She  htii  bicklen 
>ood-by  to  all  her  old  friends  in  the  totm,  to  her  garden,  to 
her  pets,  to  her  viofin,  to  her  little  attic  room.  XahA  ^(nntar 
lien's  carriage  awaited  her  outside  the  garden  gate.  My  lor<f 
sat  within  in  horrible  dread  of  a  scene.  Ahce  Warren  wat 
sobbing  beside  Rosanna — sobbing  bitterly.  "  1  feel  as  llnm^^ 
1  were  saying  good-by  forever,"  she  said  once.  ^  It  w<u  go(^ 
|)r  forever,  though  she  little  knew  it.  The  two  friends  wouU 
never  look  in  each  other's  faces  more  on  earth. 

Rosanna,  looking  as  if  carved  in  gray  stone,  stood  stilT  and 
tearless  beside  the  kitchen  hre.  And  up  in  the  painitng-room, 
Paulina,  in  a  charming  travelling  suit  of  gray  and  blue,  ani!  a 
little  French  hat,  had  her  arms  around  Duke's  neck,  trying  to 
say  farewell  The  little  watch  ticking  at  her  belt  pointed  to 
five  minutes  to  two  ;  at  ten  minutes  past  their  train  started 
.  "  Oh,  Duke  !  oh,  Duke  I  how  can  I  say  good-by  ?  Ol^ 
Duke  i  it  breaks  my  heart  to  go  I " 

She  was  sobbing  wildly.  The  scene-painter  unloosed  the 
plinging  arms,  and  put  her  gently  from  him,  looking  at  her  with 
eyes  fi^  of  great  sawinesi" 

"You  must  go,  and  at  once,  Duchess;  good-by,  my  little 
one,  and  God  in  heaven  bless  you ! " 

He  led  heitout  of  the  room.  On  the  threshold  he  stooped 
and  kissed  her  for  the  first  time  since  she  had  bebn  a  little  tod- 
dling baby,  crowing  on  his  shoulder.  Then  the  doer  shut  upon 
her ;  the  glory  of  Duke  Mason's  life  was  over — he  had  lost  the 
Duchess! 

He  went  back  slowly  to  his  old  seat,  sat  down,  laid  his  arms 
on  the  table,  and  his  face  upon  them,  as  though  he  never  cared 
to  lift  it  agaib.  And  so,  when  hundreds  of  miles  lay  between 
him  and  his  liftle  one,  and  the  starry  simuner  twilight  slionc 
over  the  world,  bis  sister  fotmd  him. 

She  bad  kissed  Alice,  she  had  kissed  Rosanna,  sobbing  vehc 
vieotly,  hei"  tears  £a)Ung  like  rain,  and  she  had  fled  fi'om  tnem, 
•nd  rato  the  carnage  wi^h  the  <-'^rou<:t  on  its  panels.    The  liv- 
eried coachman  started  his  horses  ,  «ne  pulled  a  litde  blue  veil 
ihe  wore  o*  'er  her  face,  and  turned  away  from  her  companion,  v 
They  were  dying   through  the  town.     She   looked  out  wid' 
blinded  -^cs  to  take  a   last  flunpse  hi  the  familiar  streets 
Elisa  Loiq^  waved^aiien  to  her  from  her  windowt-yraadsEarfe^ 


^uu 


court,  walking  to  the  station,  lifted  bis  hat  as  she  passed, 
ttien,  through  at*  her  tempestuous  grie^  it  dawned  vpnu  the 


^iC^j^.d 


ioi 


tmt  LAST  6JY. 


I 


fonn^  Wy  that  btie  was  reddening  her  t, .  j  iod  «W4;ffina  ha 
nose  u  all  probability,  and  that  there  woul/1  Oe  plentyofriuK 
to  cf  on  tie  way  up  to  Ix)ndon.  Ah,  me  1  it  is  but  a  step 
from  the  depths  of  despair  to  the  absurdly  iudicous  :  the  phikw 
•nher  who  lauy'-.»d  at  life  and  its  follies  and  its  pitiful  weak- 
•e»3  WW  the  iwuei  philosopher  of  the  two.  Uxss  Lis>le  wiped 
»w^  her  tears,  and  wondered  if  Guy  Earlscourt  would  also  be 
It  die  station  to  say  farewell 

He  'was  not  there.  She  felt  a  paag  of  disappointment  as  sh* 
»w  h  rancis  alone. 

"  I  liked  htm  best,  and  he  might  have  coir.e,"  she  thought, 
M  my  lord  handed  her  into  the  coupi  reserved  for  themselves. 
It  wanted  but  two  minutes  of  starting-time— he  would  not 
come. 

"Good-by,  Miss  Lisle;  I  wish  you  a  pUasant  jounftry," 
trancis  had  said,  shakmg  hands  and  stepping  back.  And  then, 
at  that  instant,  a  tall,  black"  horse  came  thundering  in  a  cloud 
of  dust  down  the  road,  bearing  a  breathless  rider.  The  black 
horse  was  Thunder,  and  the  nder  Guy  Eariscourt,  late  because 
tie  had  stopped  to  fill  a  dainty  little  moss  lined  basket  with 
arest  flowers  and  fruit.  He  leaped  off  his  horse,  and  gave  the 
tesket  to  the  guard-  for  Miss  Lisle.  The  young  lady's  heart 
bounded  as  she  saw  him  ;  flushed,  giowing,  handsome. 

"Rather  a  close  finish,"  he  said  laughing,  and  holding  oct 
his  hand.  "  I  should  never  have  forgiven  myself  had  1  been 
loo  laie.  Good-by,  Mi.ss  Lisle ;  don't  quite  forget  your  Speck- 
teven  friends  in  your  Parisian  convent,  and  don't,  1  conjure 
you,  take  the  black  veil.     We  cannot  afford  to  lose  you." 

She  had  barely  time  to  touch  the. hand  he  reacJied  her  throud) 
die  window,  when  the  whistle  shrieked  and  the  train  start^ 
She  sprang  up  for  a  last  look  ;  it  fell  upon  him  standing  there, 
hat  in  hand,  the  July  sunshine  on  his  handsome  head.  And 
30  the  last  Cice  the  girl  took  out  of  her  ad  liie.  with  the  smik 
dponn  tliat  lit  it  into'such  rare  bcantr,  wm  the  dark  it«»«« 
iKC  of  Guy  EMlscoort 


^ 


/ 


\ 


PART  TlllRD. 


r 


K 


CHAPTER  I. 


\ 
,  \ 


V, 


\^. 


AFTER  "T\^0   years. 

IHE  glory  of  a  golden  September  day  lay  over  the 
earth.  It  wastht  middle  of  the  month.  Down  at 
Montalien  Priory,  for  the  past  two  weeks,  the 
sportsmen  had  crashed  through  the  stubble,  and 
turnip- fields,  and  the  sharp  ring  of  their  fowling-pieces  efchoed 
all  day  lopg  through  tWe  golden  richness.  Very  fair,  very 
stately,  looked  thKgrarrd  ivied  old  mansion,  with  its  wealth 
of  glowing  dog  roses  and  shining  ivy,  its  waving  oaks  and 
cedars,  its  yellow  harvest-fields,  its  |)looming  gardens,  all 
gilt  with^the  glory  of  the  cloudless  September  sun. 

'1  here  were  a  half  dozfn  men,  all  told  ;  Lortl  Montalien 
and  his  brother  Guy.  Allan  Fane,  the  artist,  and  husbatad 
of  the  rich  Diana  Hauttoii,  a  Mr.  Stedman,  a  Sir  Harry 
Gordon,  and  Captain  Cecil  Villiers,  of  the  G^iards.  AH 
good  men  and  true,  and  not  a  single  woman  in  the  house  to 
mar  their  sport,  all  day  among  the  partridges^  noir  the  per- 
fect dinner  Mrs.  Hamper  got  up  for  their  delectation  in  the 
evening.  It>as  LiDcriy  Hall,  lord  and  guest  did  precisely 
as  they  pleased,  and  enjoyed  themselves  admii-ably:^ 
^^  There  are^imes  when  women  gre  Tiesirable.  navi  4Bevita- 


ble,"  Guy  Earlscourt  said,  in  his  lazy  voice.  "  They  embellish 


ft 


[307] 


■nmsi-rifm*. 


^•^^- 


foe 


1'      " 


black^yed  houns,  or  bluf^yed  balW-girk"  ^'^^  r  3^. 

^^^oTAc  house  of  Montdien  h.d  b««  eofetfS  gW^^ 
^■"tJ^Sg^*"--^  mother  of  th    present  lord  bi|^ 


-ti   « 


■^'^ 


\  - 


Nv*  tl'»5*/#/f 


■1^ 


^  'i 


i^rak  TWO  VMAks. 


W' 


,;^' 


lole  extasptiofv    The  first  wife  of  Nngenl,  late  Baron  Montatteo, 
had  be^n'hard  of  feature  and  sour  cK  temper,  ••  her  picture  still 
could  show  you ;  and  on  this  point,  Francis,  twel^  BarQ»^ 
Montalirn,  was  especially  sensitive. 

For  Francis  Eariscourt  was  Lord  Montalien  now.  die  late  <« 
lord  having  twelve  months  hfcfore  passed  to  a  better,  and  (witf 
ill  due  lespect  for  the  British  nobility),  let  us  hope,  even 
li^her  sphere,  where  bor*dom  is  unknown.     And  his  elder  bob 
reuneU  in  hfs  stead — that  elder  son  whom,  like  his  mother,  Iw 
Wi  never  loved. 

llic  men  dispersed  in  the  South  Coppice,  and  soon  tfirough 
the  sultiy  noontide  the  sharp  ringing  of  the  guns  qleft  the  hot,    • 
still  air.     Lord  Montalien  aJone  was  missing  as  the  afternoon 
sun  sank  low  in  the  summer  sky,  and  a  fuct,  sweet  evening 
breeze  zxfjit  and  stirred  the  leaves. 

"  Fr^mk.  bags  other  game  than  partridges,"  Gujr  said  with  a 
shrug.  "  iie'a  deuced  close  about  it ;  but  I  knbw  he's  after 
that  little^  girl  like  a  ferret  after  a^  rabbit,,  or  a  tenrier  after  a 
raL" 

"  Not  a  very  poetical  comparison,"  lau|^<^  Mr.  Stedmaa       ^ 
"  I   should  compare  the  lovely  Alice  to  anything  bat  a  rat-^^ 
See  I  yonder  he  comes.     His  wooing,  if  he  haa  been  wooiniL 
has  not  sped  smoothly.     Behold  I  the  thunder-cloud  on  Jovei 
god  like  brow  I " 

Wf  pointed  away  to  a  fir  plantation  a  quarter  of  a  inilti 
distant,  where  a  solitary  figure  emerged,  carrying  a  gun.  It 
was  l.ord  Montalien,  his  straw  hat  pulled  over  hia  eyea»  and  a 
moody  expression  on  his  bet.    , 

*'  (  hope  it  has  not  sped  smoodily,"  Guy  said,  regardmg  his 
only  brother  with  no  very  brotherly  glance.  "  She's  a  nice  utUe 
tiimg,  and  1  shouldrt't  like  to  see  ner  come  to  grie£  Monti 
had  better  take  care.  She's  engaged  to  a  fellow  in  the  town, 
%  dusty  mUler,  w)u)  would  shoot  him  as  &s|  at  I  this  covejr  ' 
Jere." 

His  Ibwling-pieceltog  out,  and  two  birds  came  tnmblini 
lown.  ^ 

"  Yoo  diink,  then—"  Stedman  befran. 

**  Bah  I "  interrupted  Gny.     **  I  kmno.     And  yon  tnow,  my 
good  fellow,  so  don't  try  it  oh  with  me.   "Frank's  Jnst  the  sort      i 
of  man  not  to  lose  his  head  after  women,  and  to  go  straif^t  to  ' 
Ao  i1iclr*nii  Mfn  he  does.    If t  no  affair  of  yoora  or  ntfac^ : 
]iowevef ;  we  nnther  of  us  ^re  prepared  to  set  i^  tf  CCnaOV^ 
ted  Miitreap  Alice  mwt  look  oat  for  lienelf;"  "^ 


1 


.<„  p-^^  ,"j,h 


,.,.,. A  A>-- 


'-M*    . 


,210 


APtA^    TWO   YBARS, 


Re  ptaimsd  Into  the  .o|>pice  an,-!  diiappeared     StedinM 
tooked  after  him  inth  a  pt  culiar  smiJft.        »'»'^"*-      ««h»iw 

"  If  Mifffl  Warren  is  cai.*SIe  of  lookiti*  out  for  heraeif  it  it 
dearly  enough,  bin  you  ar.  Uuul  as  a  mole  whelT you  iw 

^  thoughtftil  brow    a  retxeaimg  cSn.  a  thin  mouth,  «J 
riKifhng,  hazel  eyes.     He  was  I^-rd  Montalien's  Especial  fhJ^ 

.?erb:th  ?h  *1!."'L^  '"  ^•^  ^"P-  ""^^^'^  nittir^o?  the  two 
11^^  ,  •"  truth  .nay  as  well  come  out^thoroughly  cold 
'^^^  »P^  urpnncmled  at  heart  and  Outwardly  m  Jcls  of 
*^  domestic  an<l  socud  Virtues.  N.,  one  could  la/ anrcblret 
•whatever  at  the  door !  of  either,  and  yet  there  were  men  w£ 
mis^sted  them,  wom^n  who  shrank  'away  fromTem  o^;^ 
•ee  them  smile  once.    ^  /  « s«.  wuiy  w 

Lord  Montalien  walll^  up  from  the  plantation,  a  dark  frown 

CrZx  f^* 'f  "«^«^«'  picture-g;iii.ry  J.e  portrait  of  ms  mother 
unselda  Huntingdon,  ^  the  ancient  Jul  wealthy  tamUy^ 
Huntingdon,  hung.      Vou  IfM^ked  and   saw  a  ladv  in  a  L,h 

^r;  L^tlf'  1  ;  f  ""'i*  5^''l'  gl.mme.-ing.  hght  eyes  and  a 
wi«le  mcuth,— a  latiy  some  forty  years  old      Vou  loeked  at  the 

y^^iur,  '",T.  thr'*^"'  *"'  '""  "*  ^^^  -mVT/lll  yea'r 
CT  K  I  ^'^^  *^''">'  '**"'"'*'  ''"'^*^-'  pale  brown  hair  hia 
«ht  eyes,  his  Haxen  wh.skars  and  mustachi,  his  pale  co^  Hex 
on.  we,  e  all  of  the  same  ne«:ral  tints.  H  e  was  a  HuS  7b 
^11  over,  people  said,  not  one  look  of  tiie  bnlhant  swa.th^ 
KAilsaMuts.  uie    han<l«.n,e«  men    of  the:r  cCy^  D.d  hJ 

ririn!     ^'  ''"  "^     "'^  ^'''  ^"'•"^'  ^'>"'^'  noUa'e  told 
.J.nl       \  'T^''''^  nature.  n,^.le  no  conf.dants.     He  could 

^^t  youn^j  man,  an  e.e.npiary  yo..ng  man.  wh<.  ...the^  T,'i 
-  a  luu.  c(o,.  wnn  h.9  .non^v  irt  the  everydiy  cor  rerns  of  he 
u«»  pa.ei  v...nfe  ^uiirdsman,  h.s  l>rothfr.     Of  »||  n-en  Atueusmi 


I'j 

1. 

It> 

wr 
rat 

~9Wt«  ^tt'-^WI 


•meied  the tibraiy  bj^  *„  o^^sn  x«„:uch  window     A  no<>te  mmi 


-,6jA;y*^^^^§«f^'.- 


AFTRf   TWO    YRAMS. 


air 


Its  itmr  v»tT«  HrHod  w^th  bookR,  atatnes,  and  bronzes,  everfwheir 
writing  rabies  a&d  easy  chairs  strrwn  around,  pleasant  recesses 
for  reading,  and  the  fncUow,  aftrrnoon  sunshine  flooding  alL 

There  were  three  pirvures  in  this  library — three  pictures  hang- 
ing tc^f  Ihei  over  the  tall,  carved  rnanteL  They  were  three 
portraits  —the  late  I  .ord  Montalien,  his  second  wife,  and  yotmsei 
»>}c.  Vrnetia,  I^dy  Mootalien,  a  portionless  Italian  girl,  wilb 
1  face  of  perfect  beauty,  such  as  one  does  not  see  twice  in  a 
tifetine,  and  harny  eighteen  when  her  son'  was  bom.  That 
•oil's  portrait  hung  by  hers — the  same  dark,  brilliant  fiu;e,  the 
same  lustrous  eyes  of  southern  darkness,  the  sameTproudly 
h<ld  h«*ad,  the  same  exquisite,  smiling  mouth. 

Th'*  mother  had  lain  in  her  grave  lot  many  a  year ;  and  the 
w^n'^  bright  beauty  was  somewhat  marred  and  haggard  now. 
Those  pictures  were  the  6rst  objects  Ix)rd  Montalieii  looked 
upon,  a.s  he  strode  through  the  window,  and  a  glance  of  bitter, 
vindictive  hatred  tiamed  up  in  his  light,  cold  eyes.  He  stood 
.  an  instan'  regarding  them  with  set  teeth,  and  an  expression  bad 
tb  s}*e.  He  s}K>ke  to  them  as  though  they  had  been  sensate 
filings. 

••  Ay,"  h**  «aid,  "  yoy  have  had  your  day — it  is  «y  time  now  I 
There  you  hang- — the  father  who  could  barely  conceal  his  dis- 
like— the  woman  who  supplanted  my  dead  mother — the  boy 
who  would  have  supplanted  rne  had  it  l)een  in  his  father's  (tower. 
You  left  your  ypunger  and  (avoritfe  son,  your  Etenjamin,  every 
penny  you  could  leave  away  from  the  entail ;  now  is  the  time 
for  rue  to  show  my  gratitude.  In  your  lifetime  h?  was  always 
hrst — his  beauty,  his  brilliant  gifts  drew  all  to  his  side,  while  Jt 
was  passed  over,  v'  V^at  a  pity  (luy  is  not  the  heir  I '  my  father's 
frier  Is  used  to  say.  ^ '  Poor  Frank  is  so  dull — so  like  his  mother! ' 
Vou  thought  so  too,  my  lord — \K>oi  Frank  went  to  the  wall  in 
jour  reign.  VNTien  the  heir,  of  Montalien  came  of  age,  who 
tnew  or  carevl  ?  When  (»uy  came  of  age,  bells  rang,  bonfires 
:  lazed,  and  the  tenantry  were  feasted.  Even  those  boors  said 
'  Wliat  a  pity  Master  Guy  isn't  the  heir.'  Ah !  well,  we'll  change 
ill  that ;  I  am  Ix^rd  Montalien  now,  and  Guy  Rarlscourt  if 
wheA.  I  have  led  him,  on  the  high-road  to  ruin — ^nay,  a  ruined 
man  and  a  pa»)|»er  to-day.  'Semper  Fidelis'  is  the  motto  of 
our  house  ;  and  '  Always  Fnithftii'  to  my  revenge,  he  shall  pay 
-a>el>ack.|t*r  every  sneeiv every  stight,  every^Klvantage  overi 
to  the  utterm'ist  farthing." 

It  was  the  secret  of  his  life.  Franda  Eailioouit  hatad  e^ 
taottMsr, 


i 


.»^%jSij!Cii»Jr^t>.(4i.ts 


913 


AfTER   two   YEAXS. 


Once,  It  was  very  long  a«o.  some  one.  an  old  Wend  of  hk 
lather's,  had  remarked  to  (iuy  how  like  he  was  to  hia  second 
^^'^.^fe'*  ''^'**=°"'^     "Yes."  the  lad  answered,  with  the 
mefiable  ^hn  that  always  belonged  to  him,  "  1  believe  Clara  U 
very  handsome.     The  Earlscoiirts  have  always  been  a  good 
looking  race,  thank  God  I     l-rank  is  the  only  exception  on  rec 
•Md,  and  as  he  inherits  his  yellow  skin  and  lantein-jaws  fiom 
he  distaff  side,  poor  fellow,  I  suppose  he  i&  more  to  be  pitied 
dian  blam^"     Frank  was  not  fifteen  at  the  tune,  bnt  from  d\e 
hour  m  which  he  heard  that  flippant  speech  of  his  precocious 
youngw  brother,  his  hatred,  dormant  before,  took  shaj^e,  jfod 
grew  with  his  growth,  all  the  stronger,  all  the  bitterei,  a.yiWk 
deadlier,  for  being  so  closely  hidden.     It  was  the  old  S|bry  pi 
Cain's  crime  over  again— he  hated  his  brilliant,  careless,  i^nd 
some  younger  brother,  and  there  was  no  evil  that  could  have 
befallen  him  that  would  hot  have  rejoiced  his  fratncidal  heart 
He  turned  away  from  the  thret?  pictures  at  last— the  smiling 
faces  of  Guy  and  the  dead  Lady  Veneti^  seeming  to  mock  hun 
nam  the  canvas. 

"  The  day  is  near  when  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  putting 
you  all  three  in  the  fire,"  he  thought  "  The  day  is  near,  mr 
Lord  Montalien,  when  your  beloved  one  shall  drag  out  the  re- 
mainder of  his  brilliant  existence  within  the  walls  of  the  fleet 
Prison,  or  become  an  exile  for  life  from  his  native  land." 

He  turned  his  back  u|X)n  them,  brightened  as  they  were  by 
the  long  red  lances  of  the  September  sunset,  and  began  pac- 
ing up  and  down  the  long  apartment 

Ruby  and  orange  and  purple,  the  sunlight  streamed  through 
the  painted  windows  of  the  stately  room,  bringing  out  in  lund 
fir«^  the  crest  of  his  noble  house,  the  mailed  hand,  and  the  loyal 
nnoitto,  "  Skmpbr  Fidbus."  ^ 

He  paced  up  and  down,  up  and  down,  while  the  sun  dropped 
lower  and  lower,  and  not  all  the  glory  in  the  heavens  could 
bnghten  the  dark  moodiness  bf  his  irate  fzcc 

"Curse  her  obstinacy,"  he  muttered,  sullenly.  "With  her 
fair,  drooping  head,  her  fawn-like  eyes,  her  timid  blushes,  and 
lattering  repUes,  she  has  the  devil's  own  will  I  She  tfvw'/<y-ield 
•—throe  times  a  day  to  church  every  Sunday,  as  long  as  she  can 
r«inember,  and  the  Sunday-school  between  whiles,  hjive  done 
dieir  work.     I  could  as  easily  remove  the  Baron's  Tower  yon- 

Jex  as  that  frail  nuUi  and  rose  cettage-girL     Wh»^  the^  deufcf 

ttaU  I  dol-46r,  have  her,  I  must,  taough  1  paid  the  dire  pSV 
•1^  o(— •  w«dding-dng  1  ** 


jOfTM   TWO   YMAMA. 


at] 


cfyon- 


He  [Oi^iied  to  and  fro,  revolvine  this  quesrion,  **  ffY 
do  ?  "<    He  had  a  deep,  subtie  Dfain,  like  his  smile, 


flThat  shall  1 
powerfoJ 
tiQ<#ork  good  or  evil  for  himself  or  others. 

"In  the  days  now  past,"  he  mused,  "a  post -chus**  and  fooi 
rcund  the  comer,  two  muffled  bravoes,  and  a  n^idiaght  aiiduc- 
tion  would  be  tl.e  thing  I  Or  one  tr.*ght  gc  seek  that  conveni* 
ent  college  friend,  ever  readv  to  personate  the  clergyman,  and 
\  mock  marriage  would  settle  the  fair  one's  scruples.  But  that 
lort  of  thing  exploded  with  ruffles  and  rapiers,  I  suppose.  And 
vet — and  ye^  I  don't  know.  What  has  been  done  can  surely 
be  done  again.  Why  not  the  convenient  college  friend,  and 
the  mock  marriage?  She  is  as  innocent  as  her  otvn  field 
daisies,  my  dear  little  verdant  Alice,  and  she  loves  me  with  her 
whole  good  little  heart,  and  would  consent  to  a  marriage,  how 
ever  private,  so  that  it  were  a  marriage.  Without  the  parson, 
and  the  wedding-ring,  she  won't  listen  to  a  word — thanks  to 
popular  rustic  prejudice,  and  the  tenets  of  the  Sunday-school 
A  mock  marriage — why  not — why  not  ?  " 

The  thoughtful  frown  deepened  on  his  face  as  he  trod  to  and 
fro,  thinking  it  out  Why  not  ?  Every  moment  it  grew  clearer 
and  clearer,  every  moment  the  diabolical  scheme,  impossible 
as  it  seemed  at  first,  grew  more  and  more  feasible.  I'he 
■cheme  was  practicable,  but  where  was  the  convenient  college 
friend  to  be  found  ?  Most  men,  not  very  good  men  either, 
would  decline  to  lend  themselves  to  the  misery  and  destruction 
of  an  innocent,  trusting  young  girl.  He  thought  over  the  men 
in  the  house  one  by  one.  Guy,  reckless  to  madness,  he  knew 
well  would  stand  and  have  a  bullet  sent  through  his  heart 
sooner  than  lift  a  finger  in  such  a  matter  as  this,  which  he,  the 
spotless  elder  brother,  darkly  revolved  now.  He  felt  this  with 
secret  rage.  Allan  Fane,  weak  and  selfish,  frivolous  and  false,  ^>>%'.-' 
would  be  strong  in  his  indignation  here.  Sir  Harry  Goidoc 
uid  Cecil  Villiers  were  officers  and  gentlemen,  to  whom  he 
arould  no  more  have  breathe<l  a  word  of  his  plot  than  he  would 
luve  done  to  his  own  mother  had  she  lived.  But  one  re- 
mained, Stedman — his  face  suddenly  lighted  as  he  thought  of 
dted.nan. 

"The  heart  of  a  cucumber  fried  m  snow,"  be  thought  * 
grimly.     "A  man  with  neither  honor,  conscience,  principle 
nor  feeling — a  man  poor  as  a  church  mouse — a  man  ca(>aU« 
-of  poytonmg  hiy  own  motherif  te  contd  faenefirhinMelf  fay  tfaff=^^ 
old  lady's  demise  and  not  bt  found  out     Yes,"  he  said,  n» 
oonadously  loud,  "Stedmao  will  do  it" 


Aiti^^^  ^Skf^^U^At. 


kj^1< 


!^'  .Li 


iKae,te  1 


^*>/i 


SI4 


dPTEM  TWO   VMAMS, 


HIU  he,  my  friend?-'  said  a  cool  voice,  and  a  tall  firm 
darkeued  the  sunlight,  as  Mr.  Augustus  Ste<lman  stepped 
thiough  the  open  wind9w.  "  I  thought  it  was  only  «n  the 
Btege  and  in  madhouses  people  talked  to  thc-r. selves.  And 
what  IS  our  Stedinan  to  doi^y  lord  ?  " 

He  flung  hiroseiif  into  an  casy^Aair  and  proceeded  to  ligh; 
•  cigar.     Lord  MonUlien  looked  at  hun  suspiciously. 

*♦  V\Tial  bringpyou  her« ? "  he  asked.  "Jiow  long  were  *m 
watching  me  ?  "  ' 

"Not  o^^ei  poUte  questions  from  one's  host,"  murraared  Mr. 
bt-dman,  ten<lerly  pressing  his  Manilla.  "What  brings  me 
Here?  Fatigue,  my  dear  boy— four  hours'  popping  at  the  pax 
tndge^  under  a  bla/ing  September  sun,  is  somewhat  exhaust 
ing.  I  remembered  this  apartment  was  one  of  the  coolest  and 
pleasartest  m  the  whole  house,  and  thit  George  Sand's  Ust 
novel  was  about  somewhere,  and  so  1  came.  Do  1  intrude 
Apon  your  profound  cogitations  ?  If  so"— he  made  a  motion 
of  rising  and  leaving. 

"  No,  no  ! "  Lord  Montalien  said,  hastily.  "  Don't  go :  th« 
feet  IS,  Stedman,  I  want  you."  s    .  "« 

He  said  it  with  some  embarrassment.  Even  to  this  man, 
tithout  honor  or  principle,  he  found  it  rather  awkward  to  make 
nis  proposiMoa. 

Mr.  Stedman,  having  Ut  hLi  cigar,  puffed  away,  his  hands 
deep  m  his  trousers  pockets,  watching  his  ftiend  with  keen, 
steely  eyes.  ^ 

".^f'".!^*  ^^  "yo"  '^ant  me.  Proceed,  my  lordly  friend 
— the  lowliest  of  thy  slaves  hears  bat  to  obey." 

"  Stednian,  wiU  you  pledge  your  honor,  your  word  as  a  fen 
tleman,  that  this  matter  shaU  be  an  inviolable  secret  betveea 
osr 

Mr.  Stedinan  took  hia  right  arm  oat  of  his  tionsen  pocket 
■nd  elevated  it 

"^  "'^'  ^7  '^^"^  *««>  Juno^  by  *n  the  goddesses  ol 
Ol^inpus,  by  the  honor  of  many  Stedma/va,  by  my  frther'i 
beard,  never  to  reveal  to  mortal  man  the  sec/-t  about  to  bt, 
divulged.     Manshallah  I     Upon  my  eyes  be  it  1 "  ^  " 

"  Stop  that  rot  J "  cried  Lord  Montalien,  impatiently  *  '•  bt 
»Tous  for  once  in  your  life,  if  you  can.     Can  «ou  fiira«, 
Stedman,  what  the  business  is  in  which  I  want  yoOr  help  f" 
^  "  Something  aboat  our  blue-eyed  Hebe,  the  blushing  dnm 
=4^,  ^moseearthiy  name  ii  Afice  Warren.**"  ^rr:"^. — _ — ,^ 


**  Jb»cAff  Ga»~i'ni  hopelessly  done  for  ia  th«l  (|iMf|«4 ' 


"I 


_-;^  V^.**;^ '■^^■. 'A-r'  r-Hi^KK'?^' 


ri  "b« 


^/•rff^  rrrc?  y£^^5. 


31$ 


"  Knew  it  ages  ago,  my  friend.  Not  an  hour  since  I  was 
•^marking  to  Guy  that  it  was  as  clear  a  case  of  spoons  as  ever 
I  saw  in  my  life,  Watched  you  coming  up  from  the  planta-  ■ 
lion,  and  knew  your  little  game  in  a  twinkling.  Oh,  niy.  pro- 
phetic soul !  Of  course,  it  is  all  right,  and  it.is  *  Two  sools 
witn  but  a. single  thought,  two  hearts  that  beat  as  ere.*  Hey  ?" 

"Everything  is  not  all  right,"  answered  his  lordship 
testily  ;  "  if  it  were,  should  I  come  to  you  for  help  V* 

"  Probably  not  1  confess  1  don't  very  clearly  see  v\j  psu 
h)  this  domestic  drama.  Is  the  Uttle  Alice  insensible  tQ  yocL 
manifold  attractions,  and  do  you  want  your  faithful  Stedn-.An  to 
go  plead  your  cause  with  his  honeyed  words  ?  I  saw  \in 
Elush  Celestially  last  Sunday  as  you  walked  up  the,  aisle,  ro^ 
thought  your  passion  was  reciprocated." 

"  You  don't  understand,  my  good  fellow.  That  is  all  rigKf 
^ough.  The  girl  loves  me  with  all  her  heart,  but  she  is  fea** 
Ailly  and  wonderfully  obdurate  on  the  point  of  marriage.  Shf 
is  quite  ready  to  resign  me,  and  break  her  heart  in  die  most 
approved  fashion,  and  go  off  genteelly  in  a  decline,  but — "   . 

"  Sh^  insists  on  the  nuptial  knot,"  interrupted  Mr.  Stedman, 
"  whicii,  of  course,  is  smiply  preposterous ;  and  so  there's 
lothing  for  it  but  to  break  both  your  hearts,  and  part  A  case 
of  Lord  Lovel  and  Lady  Nan — cee  over  again.  Or  is  tbere 
lomcthing  else  on  the  cards  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Lord  Montalien.  And  then,  still  pacbg  up  and 
down,  he  laid  bare  his  dark  scheme. 

Augustus  Stedman  listeiied,  smoking-with  an  innniovable  face. 

"Yesj"  he  said  slowly,  at  last,  "I  see.  The  thing  can  b< 
^one,  I  suppose,  hut  it  seems  radier  risky.  And  my  part,  deai 
boy  ?  Am  I  to  play  the  parson,  and  ie  'he  knot  ?  Unfortu- 
nately, la  petite  knows  u\y  interesting  ph;;  siogrLOmy  almost  ti 
fjell  as  she  does  your  own." 

"  Of  course  not ;  but  you  may  know  some  one  who  uill  plaj 
parson.  You  have  a  very  extensive  and  not  too  select  circle 
of  acquaintances  in  London.  Think,  and  see  if  there  is  not 
One  among  them  who  will  do  the  business ;  and  believe  me,  1 
itiail  not  speedily  forget  yoiu*  service." 

There  Aioi  from  the  eyes  of  Stedijrian,  as  Lord  Motitalien 
mok^  the  last  words,  a  gleam  not  ^ood  to  see ;  over  his  thin 
hm  dksre  dawned  a  laint,  chill  smile,  that  never  came  there 

It- .-— : 


The  acqoaistvice  of  dioie  twb  congenial  spirits  had  ooom 
^bonX  latber  cunoa4y.     Years  b«fore,  a  certain  dailiin|;  yo«9f 


^^i. 


1(6 


APTBk    TWO    YtAkS. 


S"  TZr^^J^"^^^  Augustus  Stcdnan  in  her  ro.e 
bold,  handsome  face  to  recommend  her-coarse,  heartless.  wS 

when  the  Honorable  Fra»  cis  Earlscourt  ap,>eared  upon    Uw 
•rene,   with  ^the  longer  pu.se  of  the  two/'lt  is  anT,"s<3^ 
!S*SI./'L*'*f"lrr?'^'*^^*^*°^*^'**<^-     Stedman  retirJd^ 
\       !r\^^rr''K''^"^*^''r^*^^'Jy^*»^»-     FromthachSi 
\      riLr?^^  ^"^  u^°'!"  '"*'"<*  *"**  associate  of  Francis  Earls- 
\     COOrt.  foipiang  hun  handsomely  for  his  somewhat  treacherous 
\    ^duct  m  the  httle  matter,  and.  with  the  patience  o?^S 
\  chief;  bidmg  his  tune  to  wij>e  out  the  score. 
\     iZ^  yf*''  H  passed,  and  the  time  had  come  I 
Wh  !^^  '"  ^'  f^y^^y^  the  pale  smile  on  his  cynica 
£^e  ^w«T^  r""*"?  ^l  •"'  *=«'"i«»"«°"-  -  He  had  tum^  hi. 

^ZWi:"""  ^"^^^  *'  '^u*™*^'  "«»>^ »"  *«  "Oft  west, 
era  sky— at  the  green  b^uty  of  the  sloping  glades.     For  fiv« 

"^^ We'u'fl'^h!  SS'^L*^"  his.lordshi'p.?paT„Tc  gave ^y 

Mnmllr"  *'*'*"'   *^^^"^    ^"'*  ^  impatitnt.  mv  Lord 
Momalien  ;  a  ,nan  can^ieview  some  six  or  JTven  hundreds 

?Zw"rr  "*' '"  *  '"^"**-  ^'"  '^'^^p  y°"  ^-^  *i»  nj;s«  ^^ 

'  know  the  very  man  you  want" 
"Voudo?"  , 

point  ^  receivmg  or  icrs  more  than  once,  but  the  nintr  tL 
been  always  postpon^.     H,^  is  the  slave  of  the  brandy  b<.tS?  . 
*nd  ready  to  do  anytlung  short  of  murder-a  highwavVobD^S 

T-  J^V^l""^  "°^*-  '*  «  "'y  be'it^  he  will  nev-r  be  w- 
dained ;  but  he  w.ll  marry  you.  He  lives  with  hi,  u^de  2.e 
mcunibent  of  the  Church  of  St  Ethelfrida.  in  Z^  SJjj 
nothing  will  be  easier  than  for  him  to  adrS"  ySu,  aid  Srf^ 
the  mock  Ceremony  in  ihe  chuich  after  nightiklL" 
"In  the  church?"  * 

to  'kin  *  r  **"?'*^  .  T""  ""^^^'^  »  down  in  Essex,  as  I  happen 
fcL^-iT'  't'  *  [°«"»8:hf  s  iioliday  ;  the  nephew  can  obt.2^  rt! 
fceys  when  he  pleases.     Hkw  soon  do  you  want  it  done  ?  " 
M  Jjn»«^tely  -day  afker  to-morrow,  if  possible." 
AJi  I  '  Stcdman  said,  with  a  cdvm  sneer  ;  "  the  provcitiia] 

??M?^"  n^t:7:uLi^"^^^^  ^  "^^  ''^^  ^'?^ 

=:*w«^  were-stniost  equaity^  wr  gone.       '    •  .—        -:g.T3 — - 

"Stedman  I  I  bought  you  had  forgotten  that 
I  WM  only  a  Ud  of  onr  «nd  twenty  thMt" 


her  rj«e 
g  bat  ha 
^esB,  and 
smed  near, 
upon  the 
■n  e])iso^ 
etired  baf- 
that  hout 
iCis  Earls- 
cachervua 
an  Indian 


lis  cynica 
umed  hia 
soft  west- 
For  five 
{ave  way 
n't  you? 

tny  Lord 
ndred  ac- 
ter-  anif 


on  the 
lui 
y  botti^ 


robbery 
r  be  or- 
acle, the 
ity,  ud 
pcrfonn 


htppeii 
cmin  kh«, 
?" 

Kveriiial 


A^rMg  rWO   YSAMS. 


«lf 


"Old  enooi^  to  be  my  successful  rival,''  lailghe«<  Stedooan. 
*  Dviy  after  to-morrow  will  be  rather  sharp  work,  but,  if  the 
iadv  be  willing,  I  don't  say  that  it  is  impossible." 

"The  lady  will  be  willing.  I  shall  see  her  this  very  evening 
and  arrange  alL     How  do  you  propose  to  manage  ?  " 

"  Thus  :  I  shall  go  up  to  town  by  die  first  tram  to-morrow, 
aU  on  the  pnan  we  want,  bribe  him,  procure  a  si)ecial  Ucense 
(to  satisfy  herself),  and  have  the  job  done  next  day.  MiM 
Hi^arren  might  go  up  by  to-morrow*  r  rmening  train,  and  remaifi 
quietly  at  some  decent  lodging,  until  the  wedding-hour.  \  onx 
own  movement^  you  must  settle  yourself.  Shall  yonaccoro 
pany  her  from  here  ? " 

"No,"  replied  Lord  Montalien.     "The  whole  matter  muit 
be  kept  dark,  and  my  name  in  no  way  mixed  up  in  it     I  .shall 
appeal  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  he.  or  her  flight     She  mu8,t^ 
go  alone.     I  shall  follow  on  the  next  day.     You  see  I  have  a" 
character  to  keep  up,"  with  a  short  laugh.     "  I  have  a  lady  k^ 
view,  whom  I  mean  eventuallv  to  make  Lady  Montalien.     Be^ 
ing  vcixxsA  up  in  such  an  affaL.  »-  ^his  might  be  a  serious  drapW 
back."  '        "i 

"  Veiy  true.  Would  it  be  iM-esomptuous  on  my  part,  to  ask 
the  name  of  the  fortunate  lady  you  intend  to  honor  so  highly?' 

"She  is  Paulina  Lisle,  my  late  father's  ward,  with  eight]! 
diousand  pounds  down  upon  her  wedding-day.  Sir  Vane  Char- 
teris  is  her  present  guardian,  and  she  is  still  in  Franc^^  bul 
coming  over  shortly.  I  remember  her,  a  handsome,  spirited 
—  girl  of  sixteen  ;  and  nade  up  my  mind,  two  years  ago,  to  luarry 
her  as  soon  as  she  left  school" 

"  Happy  Miss  Lisle  1     I  think  I  have  heard  of  her.     But  yoa 
\Jiov!i  imagine  you  are  going  to  have  everything  your  own  way 
^ere.     Handsome  young  ladies,  with  eu^ty  thousand  doi^n  on 
their  wedding  day,  generally  find  more  than  one  adniiier." 

**I  mean  to  marry  her,"  Lord  Montalien  said,  shoitiy 
»*We  won't  discuss  that  question.  I^t  nie  see.  Guy  speadu 
^  going  up  to  town  to-morrow  evening — why  i^ould  not  Alice 
tnvel  with  hin  ?  " 

,    *'  An  i  he  be  set  down  as  the  c^^npanion  of  hrc  fligiit  1     Not 

'  Ittlf  a  bad  idea.     Well,  my  lord,  suppose  now  you  go,  and  talk 

the  matter  over  to  Miss  Warren,  as  everjrthing  depends  on  ha 

consent ;  and  upon  yOur  return,  I  will  pack  my  pcvtmantean, 


and  rua  «p  by  ther  eairbest  traiiiT^ 

Loid  Montalien  leued  hit  hat  and  gratped  Mr,  StodioM^i 
hand  with  a  oor^slitjr  very  unwonted  with  him. 


9I8 


AFTEX  TWO   YEARS. 


-h^l'^rtfo^etthiV^"'*^''"^^'    Wk^- 


Vm»b^  poor^ant  S^o"*  "^:  "1*  <»"lut  Ju 

.    or  by  foul,  he  must  win  Alice  Warren  1        "^-     "i'  «^  '»'5''W 
du"'c^r  eve"  nt'Lt-tSi''  ■??  ""^  <?  be  fo„,i  « 

Moolie  stood  arolnd  iL.^'Seet  ^^T"  """■'•  "« 

Hied  the  air,  the  ve,per  »n«rf^f V^  new-n-w*  tay 

oral  stillness,  the  EoZ?»^„™  b'rdirang  down  .,..  p.i 

*e  clear-gra^k,.     A^S^Z^Z" ftZr:,Z'-  'tTV 

SVrh'e'r^loleJ."-  *'  «"'  " "»  "^  -""^^^^Jl 

"Come  with  me,  Alice,"  he  said    " I  have  «inw-;,_  . 
to  you-soraethmg  you  m-,st  hear  at  onc^'^  «"««'«  to  «.y 

K.todeTtht'iu",  fa'X.t  ""^  i''^  '"  •'"'«'«™  "1 
'ooing  and  .u^«s,"  e  coS"  membef  rn-;^"  '"t"'  "J 
J.e  sombre  shadow  of  the  trt^ b^Zi^Z'^'^.,  *'Tt'^ 
™«.  and  .h^pered  his  pro^'  IJ^i'-T t'S.""^''" 
secretly,  of  course,  but  his  wife  ?  ^  w:  au  wue— 

c4s.crdsTc„xr=^  ^- .» Li.  6«.  „* 

"«l>t?    DoVumeaiTiir        **'""^"''     »<>  I  he«  ,«, 

«" «  L*fno'L2;  «rr,'ss?,„  r^  "<«•  -^  *«"- 


'■^■^m: 


AtTRM  TWO   VEAMS. 


the  opui 


vai 


k 


Aud  tften  in  Mft 


caressing  tones  he  told  her  what  si 
Jo.  To  steal  quietly  from  home,  and  take  the  8.50  train  tor 
London,  to  go  to  a  quiet  hotel,  whose  address  he  would  send 
her,  and  wail  there  for  him  until  the  following  dav.  And  ai 
hour  after  his  arrival  they  would  drive  together  to  some  ob 
■cure  church,  and  be  married-     Would  she  consent  ? 

Conser  t !  She  clasped  her  habds  doaer  around  his  arm,  h^i 
ttir  fece  rosy  with  joy.  ' 

"  Frank  !  to  be  your  wife,  I  would  '^«k,  would  do  anything 
Only  tome  day  soon,  soon  after  our  b^suiiage,  you  will  let  me 

write,  and  tell  father  and  mother.     I  cant  bear  that  they " 

"Of  course  noL  After  our  marriage  you  shall  teU  them 
everything.  Don't  fail ;  and,  by  the  wa^,  if  you  should  meei 
my  brother  at  the  sution,  yon  can  travel  ander  his  protection. 
Not  a  syllable  to  him,  of  course,  for  the  present,  at  Least 
If  you  love  me  as  you  say,  Alice,  you  wC':  be  content  to  wait  a 
uttle  before  I  present  you  to  the  world  as  Lady  Montalien." 

If  she  loved  him  I  the  innocent  eyes  looking  up  to  him  were 
(nU  of  deathless  devotion.  They  smote  him— heartless,  selhsh 
as  he  was— they  sra'>te  him,  the  loving,  faithful  eyes  of  the  girl 
he  was  betraying. 

A  great  bell  clanged  out  over  the  woods,  the  dressing-bell  at 
the  Priory.  He  stooped  hastily  and  kissed  her.  "  Good-by, 
nn'  Alice — for  the  last  time. .  On  the  day  after  to-morrow  we 
Will  meet  in  London  to  part  no  more." 

It  was  done !  He  hurried  away  through  the  fir  woods,  and 
along  to  the  Priory,  triumphant.  He  had  won  f  he  alway»  won 
— the  prize  he  had  wooed  so  long  was  his  at  last ! 

Augustus  Stednian  still  sat  where  he  had  left  him,  <uane  a 
the  shimmering  dusk. 

He  said  but  two  words  as  he  strode  in  and  passed  him : 
"AU  right" 

Half  an  hour  later,  as  a  second  loudly  clanging  bell  ciaihed 
town  the  evening  stillnrjs,  Alice  Warren  entered  hei  bther'i 
house.  Supper  awaited,  but  what  cared  she  for  supprr.  Hot 
aeart  was  ftiU  of  bliss  too  intense  for  smiles  or  words.  She  was 
|oing  to  be  his  loving  wife. 

Maihew  Warren  took  down  the  big,  well-worn  fainily  BibI* 
presently,  and  read  aloud  the  nightly  chapter.  By  whai  strange 
Viance  was  it  the  story  of  JWary  Magdalen,  that  sombre,  pathetic 
lory?    And  then  the  nightly  prayers  were  offered,  and  tlie 


jm  Mid  good-night  m  a  voice  that  trembled— die  last  good- 
Bl|^t  the  twiq^t  Upa  ever  spoke  in  the  house  she  had  gladdened 


■'i\ 


fio 


aPtmm  rm9  vmams. 


fcr  twenty  peacelhl  rear*.     She  took  her  Ught,  and  stole  id  la 
herrwro—not  to  go  to  bed-,not  td  sleep. 

»wr**«.!!S!.**C^J^^*''''"r*'''^»^'''"8»^<^>    The  hm«« 

te  feeble  candle.  She  bleW  it  out,  and  sat  JowS  by  the  open 
mudow,  to  look  at  the  ^eatj  white.  ,ui2mer  stars,  a^  fhinC 
»^Ki  T*  ?°T  K^«**  *>«  '^a».  how  good,  how  gfneroui,  how 
yS?w„°rL^ff'°T'  ,*Vf  ,ih«^^l*  >^ing.amfln|*ill  the  kilTg* 
Jf  the  world,  half  so  kmgly.  half  so  brave  I  ShpiSved  him.  aiu) 
Ae  w*s  to  be  his  wife-aii  was  said  in  that  "  KWs  not  for  hit 
nmk  she  caxed-his  rank  only  frightened  her-jTloved  Francis 
E^lscourt,  and  was  going  to  be  his  wife.  .^ 
She  sat  there  m  a  trance  of  bliss  untU  past  Midnight     The 

IZttl  ^  fr'i^u  ^^  ^  ^^'"^  >**=  '^^  »^  ^^  fi^™  home. 
^sl!^o?fer  Joy       ''"^'  *"^  "°''"  with  a  sharp  pang,  in  the 
They  would  Iknow  the*  glad  truth  soon,  of  course ;  but  mean 
tome  they  would  suffer,  they  would  miss  her.     If  she  only  dared 
mite  to  Oiem-but   no-ri»e  dj^  not.  she  would   Jayioo 

"I  wiU  write  to  PoUy,-  she  thofight ,-  " / must  teU  PoUy I " 
She  arose  softly  re-Ut  her  candle,  and  sat  down  to  write. 
lUe  few  words  she  had  to  say  were  soon  written  : 

"  Mt  own  DAauNG-I  most  speak  one  Word  to  yoa  be^ra  I  «,-^ 
-the  b«t,  the  noble*  of  «..  o.  «rth.     Some  dTy  ToTwZllKoIrS 

i:S*^.'^ct^5"J*"*'~^  **»  ^^^  to  "MUe.  Paulini 
^V  anH  t-  ^*'*!?  **?'  "*?^  ••*'  ***•'  *«  '°*^ket  from  bet 
^.fr  u**f  **  5^*  pictured  face.  "  Darling  UtUe  PoUy."  she 
J«d,^  "to  thmk  that  when  next  we  meet.  AUce  wiU  be  a  hS, 

tije  bright  btoad  day  was  shimng  gloriously  in  before  the  happy 
•f^  TO  sealed  by  sleep.    The  new  d«y-th«  Usginmni^i 


,/ 


V, 


^ 


i#i^;-f;^:p^'  - 


i^„  -r  '"vs<^.sM^ 


^E«5.t, 


r«*. 


V^ 


'V 


v/. 


..\ 


.  *.f  "V.  «l  n^^. 


KOAD   t6  MUiM. 


CHAPTER  11. 


THB  ROA0  TO   KUIM. 


^jKRI^V  on  the  following  morning  Mr.  Auntxtui  Ste4 
man  '*took  a  run  up  to  town."  And  late  in  the  even 
ing,  Mr.  Guy  Earlscourt  was  driven  down  'from  the 
Pnuiy  to  catch  the  last  express.  The  gray  of  the 
winimer  evening  was  fast  deepehmg  to  darkness  as  Mr.  Qojr 
Earlscourt  jumi)ed  out,  and  ran  to  the  office  for  his  ticket  Ii» 
V  two  mi.nutes  the  train  would  start— one  of  these  minutes  he 
^nt  at  the  ticket-office,  the  other  m  lighting  a  cigar  and  \o6kf 
ing  about  him.  Half  a  dozen  loungei;s  were  scattered  abio<it 
the  platform,  and  save  himself^  there  was  but  another  passen- 
p;er-~who  wore  (|  close  black  veil,  and  who  carried  a  smail  bag 
m  her  hand. 

Something  il^  this  lonely  female  f^re,  standing  there  in  the 
gloaming,  something  familiar,  made  the  young  Guardsman  look 
again.  She  saw  the  glance,  and  came  gliding  up  to  him,  and 
laid  one  timid  hand  upon  Yai^  arm. 

"Mr.  Guy." 

"Alice!" 

She  had  not  lifted  the  close  mask  <A^  black  lace,  but  he 
recognized  the  voice,  the  whole  form,  the  insunt  she  spoke. 

"Yes,  Mr.  Guy — I  am  soing  to  Ix>ndrn,  and — and  I  am 
frightened  to  go  alone,     \light  I — would  vou— " 

"  Now  then,  sir,"  cried  the  guard,  holdmg  open  the  door  ql^' 
die  first-class  compartment.     "  Look  sharp,  if  you  plea^^ei'' ' 

"Tbi»  way,  Alice,"  exclaimed  Guy,  and  thethyte  word«, 
ipoken  in  half  a  whi$per,  reached  the  ears  , of  "the  guard,  lo  he 
ffAVtn  on  his  professional  memory,  and  destined  to  be  rf 
peated,  yean  atter,  with  such  d^adty  peril  to  the  unconicioiu 
speaker. 

There  was  no  tunc .  for'  parley,  no  time  for  questions  or  re 
monstrance.  .He'  assisted  her  in,  sprang  after,  tiie  whistle 
shrieked,  ,aHd  the  express  train  flew  away  through  the  darken 

agnigHt  

••   7  Now  theii,  Miss  Alice  wafi*en,explMnydti^^^^^ 
does  a  voung  lady  from  Speckhaven  mean  by  running  away 
to  London  %t  this  unholy  hour,  alone  ?    I  give  you  my  word 

V 


%■ 


ri-. 


■-.''■'1 


as9 


TWE  ROAD   TO  ROM. 


ifSSl'*  ??  ****  •  ?«P«=««d  to  behold  the  CiariM  of  a 
the  RuMUM  at  the  sution  as  you."  u«  «  ■» 

«.JJ*i  l[!?*lf*l'""  down-its  .friendly  shelter  hid  the  bumina 

•'  I  am  obliged  to  you,  Mr.  (?uy." 

*  \k2^  ii^  *"*"  'n  '  ^^'P*^/"^  eve^rbody's  sake,  iiy  pld  fiiecd 
Mathew  knows  all  about  it.  And.  if  he  does,  my  old  S  end 
Mjrthew  ought  tp  be  ashamed  of  himself-le  ting  hi,  ^t^ 
Jjughter  run  wild  up  to. London.     Where  is  Peter  fcrS 

^  11  !^  ?°*  ^^  *ffi*nccd,"  Alice  replied,  between  a  laugh  and 
J  sob  ;  "  I  never  was.     And  my  father  and  rtiothcr  don't  know 
'1?W™*^P'*^*«  don't  blame  them,  Mr.  Guy." 

aU  ?     if"?:  'li'^K'  r  ''"^  ,''"^'*'  '""f  r"  ""g^'^  ^°  have  come  a» 
^^La  I-  f  ^  busmess  of  mine,  th£t  is  certain  ;  but,  for  old 

I  Si'^H  Jt''*'^''''  '^'"?.  '^^''y'  «°°^  f"«"ds,  Alice,  you  tnow 
^Ishould  hke  you  t0  teU  me  what  is  taking  you  to  Londoh/^ 

.^  ^.  *  IJ*'^*^  amMamestness  in  his  tone  and  face 
v«y  unusual  He  wa«  the  last  ma^ ,  m  the  worW  to  tu" 
^nsor  of  other  men  and  women  r  iClSey  went  all  wrong,  and 
-came  to  gnef  why,  it  was  only  the  usual  lot,  and  what  h^ 
~i?^as  no°^""^;  ^  Frank  might  do  precisely  as  he  pLsel 
Ae  Jn^M  ?•  "Ia  *l"  °'  '^y  "»*"''' '  '^^  ^^h  a  woman  of 

where  a i.?fi'ir"*H  *"^r  ^^'^^^  "  *  ^'^y  '^^"*'  <^«'"est. 
Where  a  fair  field  and  no  favor  were  all  either  had  a  right  to 

expect     But  this,  was  dLferent-this  fresh-hearted,  iiuie  coun 
jy-girl  whom  he  had  known  from  childhood.  ^"As  in  a  bUs^ 

caiieil  a)>OD  to  remonstrate.  ' 

••AJice,"  he  said.  "I  don't  want  to  pry  into  any  seaet  <W 
yours-yon  know  your  qwn  affairs  best,  of  course  ;  bt^s  tW, 
awi^  .tcp  you  are  taking?  Think,  before  it  i.  t^  late  I^ 
tarn  back  wnile  there  is  yet  time."  ' 

ba^wTcodd?  "^^     ''  "  '"^  ^^^-     ^^  '  --W  -«»  ^« 

She  spoke  more  firmly  than  he  had  ever  heard  her.     She 

inu^  thinking  that  this  time  to-mbrrow  she  would  be  Franl?! 

"^^  ^°?^t)est^    Pardon  myanterfereaiM.    At  lea»t>  ^bh 
WlUpenmi me  to  see  you  to  youf  destination. 

WK  ttwk  from  her  purse  a  shp  of  paper  ac  i  huded  it  to  hkn 

1 


>. 


* 


A': 


TBB  KOAD   TO  nVW. 
there.     If  jrou  #iU  take  me  to  it  I 


ISJ 


very 


*■  I  an  goinff 
rery  thankfuL'" 

"  Mrs.  Howe's  I-Mgings,  20  Gilbert's  Gardens,  Tottenham 
Court  Roiii,    read  Guy.     "  Ah,  I  don't  know.     Mis.  Howe*! 
lx)dgings  Gilbert's  Gardens,  sounds  rural,  though.     Yes,  Miu 
Warren,  I  shall  certainly  see  you  there ;  and  now,  with  ywas 
permission,  will  read  the  evening  paper." 
-     And  then  silence  fell  betwe^en  them.     Alice  Warren  pa? 
back  her  veil,  and  lo<>ked  out  at  the  flying  night-scene.     'Wit 
sky  was  overcast— neither  moon  nor  stars  were  visible.     How 
weiril,  how  unearthly  this  wild  night-flijj;ht    seemed    to    her  ! 
What  would  she  have  done  but  for  Mr  (iuy?     He  looked  to 
her  almost  as  a  guardian  angel,  Tn  her  loneliness  and  strange- 
ness."   If  it  were  possible  to  ihmk  anything  but  what  was  good 
of  Frank  she^niight  have  thought  it  a  little  cruel,  a  little  selfish, 
leading  her  thAs  away  alone  to  that  big,  pitiless,  terrible  London. 
But  Frank  knew  best,  and  this  time  to-morrow  she  would  be  his 
wife.      Her  heart    throbbed  with    the  joy,  the  terror  of  the 
thought     She  looked  askance  at  her  companion.     If  Mr.  Guy  ' 
knew,  she  thought;  would  he  be  so  kind  to  her  as  he  .was  now? 
If  she  had  known, "^  that  thought  need  not  have  dismayed  her 
Ix)rd  Monulien,  like  King  Cophetna,  might  have  married  a 
beggar-maid,  and  if  she  were  wel^-dre88ed  and  well-looking, 
Ljfutenant  Earlscourt  would  have  embraced  his  new  sister,  and 
never  given  a  thought  to  her  Antecedents. 

It  was  close  upon  midnight  when  the  countless  lamps  di 
lAindon  first  shone  before  the  country-girl's  dazed  eyes.  The 
bustle  and  uproar  of  the  station  terrified  her  :  she  clung  in 
affright  to  Mr.  F^arlscourfs  arm.  And  then  they  were  in  a 
foiu  wheeled  cab,  whu-ling  rapidly  away  to  Gilbert's  Gardens. 

"  les  rather  an  unearthly  hour,"  remarked  Guy,  looking  at 
his  watch.  ♦•  I  only  hope  Mrs.  Home— no,  Mrs.  Howe —ia 
prepared  to  receive  us." 

Mrs.  Howe  was.  Mr.  Stedman  had  arranged  that  as  well  at 
Otlier  matters ;  and  Miss  Warren  wa»  affably  received  by  a  thin, 
Htde  woman,  with  a  pinched  nose  and  a  wintry  smile,  and 
■hown  to  the  ladies'  sitting-room  at  once. 

She  gave  her  hand  to  her  companion  with  a  glance  of  tett 
fi:i  gratitude. 

"TTiankjroa  very  much,  Mr.  Guy.     I  don't  know  how  1 
-shook}  ^ave  got  here  but~l&r  you.     X16od-i>ight,  iuiia~o^~~ 
please"— -piteously—" don't   say  anything  to   anybody  dov» 
bone  aboot  h^iTUig  met  me." 


■Mi  ■ 


-fk 


\ 


/ 


'^:i^> 


h? 


-^ 


994 


rm  ROAD  TO  Mum. 


lit 


'*CertainIf  not,  Alice— f{bod- night" 

He  had  reached- the  door  when  a  sudden  inipuise  ttnick  Um 
and  heWned  back.  He  took  both  h«r  hands  in  his  cira  and 
looked  kindly,  pityingly  down  In  the  sweet,  tear-wet  face. 

"Little  Alice,"  he  said,  " I'm  a  good-for  nothing  fellow,  bof 
I  have  a  very  tender  regard  for  you.  If  ever  youjird  yoatseli 
-  ap  a  tree — I  mejui  in  trouble  of  any  kind — I  wish  you'd  cumt 
to  me  I'll  help  you  if  I  can.  Here  is  an  address  to  wluck 
you  can  write  at  any  time,  and  if  ever  you  call  upon  me  I  w^l 
ttever  fail  you." 

The  dark,  handsome  face,  the  brown,  earnest  eyes  swam  be. 
fore  die  srirl  in  a  hot  mist.  If  he  had  been  her  brothet  he 
could  haiAy  have  felt  more  tenderly  toward  her  than  at  tiiat 
moment.  Trouble  I  He  knew,  if  she  did  not,  what  dark  and 
bitter  trouble  was  in  store  for  her,  and  he  was  helpless  to  wanl 
kofi 

"  I've  had  the  fortune  to  come  across  a  good  many  inscruta- 
ole  Cards  in  my  time,"  he  thought,  as  he  ran  down  stairs,  "  but 
for  inscruubility,  Monti  puts  the  topp-^r  on  the  lot  What  an 
infernal  scoundrel  he  is  ;  and  what  an  inconceivable  idiot  that 
poor  child  I  Of  course,  he's  going  to  marry  b^^r — nothing  else 
would  have  induced  a  girl  Hke  that  to  uke  so'th  a  step." 

Mrs.  Howe  led  the  way  up  stairs  with  a  simper  on  her  faded 
face. 

'♦  I  know  all  about  it,  miss,"  the  whispered,  confidenrially ; 
1  the  young  man  as  was  here  this  mommg — a  most  genteel 
young  man  he  is — told  me  that  you  was  going  to  be  married, 
you  know,  miss,  and  that  is  the  sentieman,  of  course,  a  military 
gentleman,  as  one  may  see,  and  'iie  very  'andsomcst  as  1  ever 
set  eyes  on." 

Alice  shrunk  Away,  almost  with  dread.      How  dare   Mt 
Stedman  tell  this  strange  woman  her  secret  ?    She  entered  her 
room,  a  neat  Uttle   apartment  enough,  but  insufferably  close 
and  stuihr,  as  it  seemed  to  the  country  g.rl,  used  to  the  fresi 
tneath  of  the  German  Ocean,  and  the  sweet  breeze  of  the  iio 
colnshire  wold. 

lira.  Howe  set  down  the  candle,  still  sinpering,  still  couteiy- 

*•• 

'  "And  if  tbere'i  anything  else,  miss,  hot  water,  or  a  cap  of 
Uai,  or  a  plate  of  cut  'am.  or  anythmg  as  you  might  menl" 


VMS  wr  ■  pwc  oi  cm  am.  or  anytnmg  as  you  might  naentioa, 
t VTOre  ril  be  MOtt  lappy.    UTiirh  thf  g«.fif«>;.r  ynntig  ^" 


this 

«4 


morning  paid  up  in  advance,  most  generous 

No.  thank  you ;  I  want  nothing,".  Ahce  answered,  hurrieiay ; 
the  stmpeiinp  landlady,  with  a  last  dip,  walked  awf  y. 


•.f>»lA$^  ^  Ll  r 


nm  MOA»  to  mfitt. 


u% 


)tion, 


nscruta- 
rs,  "but 
Hiat  an 
liot  that     ^ 
ing  els« 


She  dosed  and  locked  the  door,  and  sank  down  oii  hm 
knees  by  the  bedside,  her  l^at  and  shawl  still  on,  with  an  over- 
powering sense  of  desolation  and  loneliness.  What  were  thef 
doing  at  home?  What  did  they  think  of  her?  Thev  wcnild 
miss  her  at  the  hour  for  evening  prayers,  and  they  woula  search 
for  her  'n  vain.  She  could  see  her  mother's  scared,  white  Esce 
her  (a'her's  stem,  angry.  Qjv  what  a  bad,  cruel  girl  she  ws* 
only  tliinking  of  herself  and  her  own  happiness,  and  nevei  cai 
ing  for  the  grief  she  was  leaving  behind!  Very  soon  the} 
would  know  the  truth,  that  she  was  the  happy  wife  of  (xwo 
Montalien,  but  until  then,  what  grief^  what  shame,  what  fear, 
would  she  not  make  them  suffer  I 

A  clocK  in  the  neighborhood  struck  tluree.  She  had  scarce!) 
slept  the  night  before — involuntarUy  her  eyes  were  closing  now 
She  got  up  in  sl,  kind  of  stupor,  removed  her  outer  clothing, 
threw  herself  Kalf-dressed  upon  the  bed,  and  slept  deeply, 
dreamlessly  until  morning. 

It  was  broad  day  when  she  awoke  and  started  up—nine 
0^ clock  of  a  dull,  rainy  morning.  The  crashing  noises  without 
naif-stunned  her  for  a  moment,  until  she  reauzed  she  was  in 
London. 

It  was  her  wedding-day  I  She  sprang  up  with  a  bound  and 
ran  to  the  window.  The  ceaseless  rain  was  falling,  a  dim  yel- 
low fog  filled  the  air,  the  sky  was  the  hue  of  lead.  The  dreary 
prospect,  the  muddy  street,  the  dismal-looking  figures  wiUi  un- 
fiu-led  umbrellas,  passing  beneath,  struck  with  a  chill  to  hei 
heart  Was  it  An  omen  of  evil  that  the  sun  had  not  shone  o« 
her  wedding-day? 

She  washed  and  dressed  herself— the  landlady  brought  her 
up  breakfast,  and  she  sat  down  by  the  window  to  try  and  \y»99 
,the  long,  long  hours.  In  the  tourse  of  the  forenoon  Mr.  SteJ- 
nan  called ;  she  was  glad  to  see  even  him  thien,  though  do^s  b 
a.  home  she  had  disliked  him.  Everything  was  in  readinea^ 
Mr.  Steadinan  told  her ;  she  might  look  for  Lord  Montaliea  • 
ditle  before  six  o'clock. 

Seven  hours  to  wait — would  they  ever  pass,  Alice  dioaght 

She  asked  the  landlady  for  a  book,  and  tried  to  b.%  her  atten 

tion  upon  it,  but  in  vain.     For  once  a  novel  failed  to  absoirt 

Miss  Wanen.    She  listened  to  the  hours,  and  the  quarters,  r, 

'   they  chimed  two,  three,  four,  five. 


in  Gilberfr  Gardens  the  daricTatny^fanr  way  dMit!gi^Witf|f= 
•ad  yellow  lamps  gliinraered  athwart  the  log.     Half-past  ftve-^ 
f  ioaiter  ai  six — uh,  would  he  itever  come  I    She  had  woriwA 


/  .1- 


;.'i.;.^;,^SiiP,.pi»i''j«f, 


^M'^-*'i- 'w^*r^'"^*  ■■.^'■-  i'^^f^-i^-'*^^?^^^^?^ 


,ffUpV'. 


9tf6 


rmi  $040  ro  tvm. 


heneif  vp  iii^d  a  fever  of  longing  and  tmjHitiftface,  when  •  hm 
■on)  whirled  up  to  the  door,  a  man  vrry  much  muffled  itnm4 
out  and  rush^  up  the  stairs,  and,  with  a  cry  of  joy,  Alice  flooff 
herself  into  the  arms  of  her  lover : 

^^'^^  frank!  Frank!  I  thought  you  would  never  cornel 
I  ne  day  has  been  so  long — so  long  I " 

He  was  so  closely  muffltd  that  the  eyes  of  love  alone  could 
tare  recognised  him.     He  looked  flushed  and  eager  as  a  pro 
^lecuve  bridegroom  should. 

"Dress  yourself  as  quickly  as  possible,  Alice,"  he  said. bur 
ntdly ;  "we  will  drive  to  the  church  at  once." 

In  five  minutes  the  girl's  straw  hat  and  simple  shawl  were  or*. 
She  drew  her  veil  over  her  face,  and  with  a  beating  heart  was 
led  by  her  lover  to  the  cab.     A  second  more  and  they  were 
whirling  away,  and  the.  curious  eyes  of  the  landlady  were  re 
moved  from  the  window! 

"  I  could  not  see  his  face,"  she  remarked  afterward  ;  '•  he 
was  that  muffled  up,  and  his  hat  was  that  pulled  »ver  his  heyes, 
Dpi  1  know  it  w»a  the  same  millingtary  gen:  as  brought  her  the 
Bight  afore."  *      / 

The  Church  of  St.  Elhelfrida  was  a  very  long  way  removed 
doni  Gilbert's  i«Gardens,  and  it  was  entirely  dark  by  tlie  time 
they  reached  iL    A  small  and  di.Tgy  edifice,  in  a  small  and 
dingy  court,  with  not  a  soul  to  ol^serve  them,  arid  only  a  soli 
tary  cab  waiting  round  the  corner,  horn  which  Mr.  Stedinan 
sprang  to  meet  them.     An  old  womau  in  pattens  opened  the 
church-door— an  old  woman,  who  wi.'h  Mr.  Slednsn  was  to 
constitute  the  witness  of  the  ceremony.     A  solitary  Ump  lit  the 
daik  edifice,  and  by  its  light  th-y  saw  a  young  man,  in  a  sur- 
pUce,  standing  behind  the  ra'ls  with  a  book  in  his  hand.     Loid 
Montalien  led  the  palpiuting  httle  figure  on  his  ann  up  the 
kislc,  and  in  less  than  ten  it'inutes  the  young  man  in  the  sur- 
face hwJ  gabbled    through  Ah*   ceremony,  and    pronounced 
lixncia  Eailscourt  and  Alice  Warren  man  and  wife     Then 
.C«B.e  signing   and  ccunteisigning  in  a  big  book— a  fee  waj 
•UppeJ  fi^om  the  palna  of  die  bridegroom  into  that  of  the  yowig 
oian  m  the  surplice.     Alice  received  her  "  marriage  lines  "  ano 
■U  WM  over.     At  the  church^oor,  the  bridegroom  stopped  to 
ihake  hands  with  ha  faiUiful  friend  a::d  accomplice 

"  Vou're  a  trump,  Ste<inian I     Belie'c  me,  1  shaU  not 
Iriiitf  you  have  done  for  me  to- 


^^Stednuui,  with  his  Mnds  in  his  pocket,  and  durt  pnl*     • 
onuMMii  smile  on  hit  iips,  waiched  bride  and  bridcpoon  i»  i 


% 


iAdft'.s 


-..iUw.'A^..f^."i**-^Vi"-'-'«fV-*i£" 


^ 


TEK  ROAD   TO  MUm. 


99f 


their  cab  nad  drire  aws* ;  then  he  Uii||^;«d  to  oimtelf— 
a  soft,  low  laugh. 

"  Mo  !  luost  noble  lord ;  I  don't  think  jrou  will  forget  in  § 
hurry  what  1  have  done  for  you  to-night  I  was  to  be  tht 
cats-paw.  was  I — the  haneer-on  who  was  to  do  your  dirt* 
work,  anH  take  my  reward  in  being  told  I  am  a  trump  ?  In  Mr 
weeks  fro...  now,  if  I  am  hard  np,  I  shall  know  where  to  call 
Mid  trust  to  your  gratitude  for  a  dieck  for  a  couple  of  thou) 
»nd  ;  and  1  thmk  that  other  little  icore,  fivr  ycgri  old,  i« 
pretty  clearly  wiped  out  at  laiL" 


■:->«i 


When  Guy  Earlscourt  told  Alice  Warren  that  he  was  "  a 
good  for-nothing  sort  of  fellow,"  he  uttered  a  fact  in  which  he 
would  have  found  a  great  many  people  agree.  As  fast  as  man 
could  tread  that  broad,  sunlit,  flower  grown  highway,  known  as 
the  "Road  to  Ruin,"  Lieutenant  Guy  Earlscourt  had  been 
treading  it  for  the  past  three  jrears. 

Ever  since  when  at  twenty  years  of  age  he  had  begun  his 
new,  bright  life  as  fledginig  guardsman  and  emanci))ated 
Etonian,  he  had  been  .going  the  pace  with  a  recklessness,  a 
mad  extravagance,  that  knew  neither  bounds  nor  pause.  He 
was  but  four  months  past  three-and- twenty  now,  and  over  head 
and  ears  in  debt,  and  irretrievably  ivined. 

Just  one  year  and  a  half  agO  his  father  had  died,  away  in 
Syria,  of  typhoid  fever.  Amid  strangers,  in  a  strange  land. 
Nugent,  Baron  Montalien's  long  exile  6f  sixty  years  had  ab- 
ruptly ended  He  drifted  out  of  life  as  quietly,  as  thoroughly 
self  possessed  ana  gentlemanly  as  he  had  drifted  through  it 
In  his  last  hour  there  were  no  vain  regrets,  or  longings  (at 
-cme  and  friends.  Once  he  had  thought  he  would  like  to  sec 
Guy  ;  it  WAS  but  a  passing  weakness  ;  he  did  not  wish  a  second 
time  for  what  was  impossible.  It  was  rather  a  relieC  on  the 
whole,  to  go— to  make  an  end  of  the  general  weariness  and  do- 
tusion  of  livine 

He  had  neither  loved  nor  hated  very  strongly  for  the  put 
for^  years.  Wher-  was  the  use,  in  a  world  where  life  at  its 
best  was  but  as  a  summer  day,  and  in  its  first  dawn,  in  its 
bi'ghtest  noontide,  the  eternal  night  might  come? 
-  He  had  looked  with  a  soft  of  piTyihg  wondeTupoir  1rir**~ 
WW  men  madl\  batthng  along  the  highway  for  fame,  for  weakh, 
far  rank,  for  powei'^uals  that  led  nowhere.     H«  had 


"m  .l\^^b«:;st»M,4i.&u«^- 


•SS  TOB  ltOAt>  TO  RUIN, 

diMemen  in  the  first  fiuitjon  <rf  success  stricken  down,  am' 
Mten  stepping  in  over  their  itark  bodies.  The  knowledge 
Oiat  has  made  men  great  saints,  heroic  maH>Ts,  w&s  h's  in  iti 
fiillest— the  knowledge  of  life's  nothingness — and  ii  made  hioi 
a  weary  wanderer  over  the  earth,  with  even  heaven  sometimt* 
looking  only  a  beautiful,  impossible  fable. 
.His  will  had  been  made  before  he  quitted  England.  Al 
mat  It  was  in  ius  power  to  leave  his  second  son  he  had  left 
It  was  not  much  as  that  son  lived— but  a  drop  in  tht  r%an 
ocean  of  his  debts  and  expenditure. 

He  had  but  one  troubU»— the  thought  of  the  girl  whom  Kob* 
ert  Hawksley  had  left  in  his  charge.  Whom  should  he  apfiyint 
guardian  in  his  own  stead?  He  thought  over  all  the  men  he 
Imew,  and  there  was  not  one  among  them  suitably  or,  if  suitar 
ble,  willing  to  undertake  ^  the  troublesoiiv?  duty.  He  had  al- 
most given  up  rhe  problem  in  d«fspair,  when  Sir  Vane  Char- 
tens  suddenly  appeared  upon  the  scene,  it  was  no  premedi- 
tated meeting :  it  was  the  merest  chanc»»— if  there  be  such  a 
tomg  as  chance— if  the  destiny  that  was  .:^ping  the  ends  ol 
Paulina  Lisle  had  not  driven  him  hither.  He  was  the  one  man 
whtfm  his  lordship  had  not  thought  of  A  vague  dislike  and 
distrust  of  him  had  been  in  his  mind  ever  since  the  day 
upon  which  Lady  Charter??  had  made  her  passionate  declara- 
.  Hon  dut  he  had  insulted  her,  and  that  she  would  never  foreive 
him.  " 

Poor  Lady  Charteris  1  it  mattered  Kttle  whom  she  forgave 
now ;  she  was  the  inmate  of  a  mad-house !  She  had  nevei 
recovered  from  that  sudden  illness  down  at  Montalien ;  and 
three  weeks  fi-om  the  time  when  her  husband  had  taktn  her  up 
to  town  her  mind  had  enVirely  given  way,  and  rJie  had  fieeo 
ever  since  Uie  inmate  of  a  private  asylum.  Her  delusion  w»i 
a  singular  one.  Sir  Vane  Charteris  was  not  her  husbani  the 
persisted ;  her  lawful  husband  was  alive,  and  in  America,  to 
▼hori  she  was  always  trying  to  write.  And  having  placed  Iqi 
msane  wife  in  safe  keepmg,  and  hit  daughter  at  a  fashionable 
boarding  ^hool.  Sir  Vane  Charteris  alvi'set  out,  to  drown  Um 
great  trouble  of  his  life,  sight-seeing  in  distant  lands. 

ilt  the  close  of  a  bright  summer  day,  he  entered  the  Iitt'< 
Bjrran  village  where  my  lord  lay  dying.  It  seemed  a  Pro^dencf 
to  the  sick  man.     Almost  ♦he  first  words  he  spoke  were  th« 
fncatton—would  he  assume  in  his  itead  the  guardian«liin.«^ 
tkoliiui  Uide  I  •  "i--^  — 


Thara  roie  op  over  the  swanhj  boe  of  die  baranet  a  flpil 


4. 


,t 


.-iri^W^vi?,^ 


..V'ij.j'^.l 


TMB    ^OAD   rO  RUm, 


Ml 


that  wms  not  the  rosy  light  of  the  Eastern  rantet  H*  had 
never  thought  of  this!  Among  all  the  chances  that  wwe  to 
place  his  wife's  elder  daughter  in  his  power  he  had  never 
thought  of  this  !  It  was  a  moment  before  he  could  anawei^— 
a  inoracnt  during  which  his  face  was  turned  far  away  from  Um 
^ng  man,  and  his  black  eyes  gazed  at  tlie  rainbow  hght  iu  Ji« 
S]rrian  sky.     Then  he  s|K)ke  very  quietly  : 

•  If  it  will  relieve  your  mind  any,  my  lord,  I  willinely  acirept 
the  charge.  With  my  unfortunate  domestic  affliction  I  had 
not  thought  of  ever  again  making  England  my  home,  but  my 
duty  to  my  daughter,  perhaps,  should  be  paramount  over- 
every  mere  personal  grief.  I  will  become  Miss  Lisle's  gtiar- 
dian,  and  fultil  my  duty  to  the  best  of  my  ability.  She  and 
Maud  will  be  coin]ianions,  and  my  sister  Eleanor — Mrs.  Gpl- 
braith,  you  recollect— ^will  preside  over  my  home."      ' 

The  necessary  documents  were  iinmediately  drawn  »»p  ;  and 
dut  night,  when  the  great  white  moon  rose  up  out  of  the  Orient, 
Nugent,  Lord  Nfontalien,  lay  white  and  cold  in  death. 
,Sir  Vane  Charteris  lingered  in  the  Syrian  vill^e  longenouj^ 
to  |>erforn>  his  last  duties  to  his  friend.  The  body  was  em- 
balmed and  transported  to  England ;  and  perhaps  am^^g  all 
who  stood  bareheaded  around,  whilst  the  great  vault  down  at 
Montalien  o|)ened  to  receive  another  inmate,  Guy  Earlscoun 
was  the  only  mourner  at  heart  It  had  not  been  the  way  of 
father  or  son  to  speak  of  it,  or  even  much  to  think  of  it,  but -in 
their  secret  hearts  they  hail  loved  each  other  wonderfully  welL 
For  Francis,  the  new  Lord  Montalien,  he  looked,  as  he  alwayi 
did,  the  model  of  all  Alial -virtues  and  quiet  grief ;  but  the  dark 
spirit  within  him  exulted.  His  was  the  power  now  and  the 
glor)'— he,  not  »he  d^ad  man's  favorite,  reigned  in  Montalien. 

He  listened  with  the  same  expression  of  subdued  sorrow 
when  the  will  was  reatl,  and  knew  that  his  father  had  not  left 
Wm  one  memento  of  fatherly  regard.  All  had  gone  to  Guy — 
4  trifle,  perhaps  but  alL  He  gras^ied  his  brother's  hand  when 
diey  were  alone  together,  and  looked  at  him  with  glistening 
•yes. 

"  Guy,  old  fellow,"  he  said,  "  thirteen  thousand  is  not  modi 
to  you  with  your  habits  and  ustes,  but  when  you  are  up  a  tir« 
«all  upon  nie  without  fear.    The  income  of  Montalien  it  « 
tob»e  one,  ami  JUshall  share  it  as  a^ brother  should.    Stint  yo«^=^^= 
Mlf  iu  no  way-    your  debts  shall  be  paid." 

Guy  lifted  i«is  dark  eysbrows,  and  pulled  his  nnMtache  ii 
doue  bewildcnnenL  ^-^ 

■       ,  (        N 


i«k^JMi«v^  ^'    ^i*'^'^ 


i . 


«?•- 


Md 


TBM.  ROAD   ro  MUnfi 


Hai  r/«nk  gone  mad,  I  wonder?  'he  thought,  "hi  ray 
my  debts  /  Why,  the  selfish  beggar  wottldAnot  give  a  sou  to 
keep  me  from  starving!  What  the  deuce  does  he  in^an  b» 
guahmg  m  this  way  ?  "  But  aloud  he  had  aiis  veied ;  Thanii 
▼ery  much;  you^e  not  half  a  bad  fellow,  Frank  I"  aqd  had 
•traightway  proceeded  to  squander  his  legacy,  which  be  mauaaei 
•wy  completely  to  do  in  a  year. 

,  Sir  Vane  Charteris  made  an  end  of  his  Eastern,  tour,  and  la 
tmning  home  by  Paris,  proceeded  to  caU  upon  his  ward  H« 
Bad  infixed  Miss  Lisle  by  letter  of  the  change,  and  the  young 
tedy  had  shed  some  very  sincere  tears  over  the  news,  a  few 
for  Lord  Montalien,  whom  she  had  liked,  and  a  few  for  her- 
seli;  that  she  should  be  the  ward  of  Sir  Vane  Charteris,  whom 
she  disliked  with  a  heartiness  which  characterized  all  this  youna 
person's  likes  and  dislikes^  The  baronet  called  upon  her  one 
July  day— the  July  preceding  the  September  of  which  I  have  , 
written— and  there  descended  to  the  convent  parlor,  a  tdlL  * 
dim  young  ladv,  in  a  gray  dress,  with  a  pal^  face,  and  la;?e, 
bnffht  eyes.  She  gave  her  hand  rathet  coldly  to  her  guardian, 
and  listened  whilst  he  unfolded  his  plans  for  her. 

She  was  eighteen  now,  and  the  time  for  leaving  school  had 
come.  Early  in  October  his  town-house  would  be  in  order 
.and  his  fcister  and  daughter  ready  to  receive  and  welcome  her! 
It  was  his  wish  she  should  entei  society  at  once  ;  her  Grace,  the 
Duchess  of  Clanronali  had  offered  to  present  her  at  Court 
Pending  the  ides  of  October,  Would  Paulina  mind  remainina 
quietly  where  she  was  ?  o 

Bi."u*!'"  ^'"  '''*'*'  ans'^ered,  ^ decidedly,  she  wou/d  mind  it 
She  had  no  notion  of  spending  the  midsummer  vacation  in  the 
convent  She  had  promised  her  friend,  Mile.  Virginia  I>upont, 
to  s|>end  August  and  September  in  the  fraternal  mansion,  a! 
Vetsailles.  And  she  was  quite  willing  to  make  her  d^biil  io 
society  immediately,  delighted,  indeed.  If  Sir  Vane  .Charlcrii 
»hould  choose  to  come  for  her  about  the  middle  <rf  October  shs 
vould  be  ready  to  go  tq  Englar  i 

The  interview  ended,  and  the  baronet  had  got  whac  he  de 
area,  an  mkhng  into  the  character  of  the  heir«ss.  She  had  a 
mil  of  her  own— that  was  clear,  and  a  \2ry  strong  fancy  fof 
Davin|e  her  own  way.  It  would  require  all  the  tact  hc'poa- 
Miaed,  and  aU  the  strength  ot  mind  to  coma  off  victor  ma 
Pattlc  with  her. 


"»»  ihaU  marry  in  her  first  season,"  he  tfaooght ;  "anj  a 
••n  of  my  ckooong.     Robert  Lisle  will  never  dbue  ttnxu  t9 


TBB  MOAD    ro  RUIN, 


'it 


} 


encUnd ,  and  Olivia's  life  will  soon  end  in  nej  mad-hoiua 
At  her  death  her  fortune  becomes  ffaud's,  (6i  who  is  there  to 
sayshe  evei;  had  an  elder  daughter  ?  " 

So  wliile  Miss  Lisle  was  enjoying  herself  very  much  in  hn 
tncnd  s  home,  there  were  ^jeveral  people  across  the  Channel  t« 
whom  she  was  an  object  of  great  interest  Sir  Vane  Chartetb. 
«i«ly  preparing  his  town-house  in  the  arirtocrah>  neighbor 
^ood  of  Berkeley  Square,  for  her  reception— UirdMontalien 
wno  had  made  up  his  mind,  entirely  to  his  own  satisfaction,  to 
m»rry  her.  and  tFie  s{>endthrift  and  prodigal  Guy;  who  wai 
8tK.ngly  recommended- to  do  the  same.  His  advTser  was  aii 
old  maiden  aunt  of  his  father's,  from  whom  he  had  expecta:ions 
w-ho  had  already  paid  his  debts  half  a  dozen  times,  and  the 
thought  of  whose  prospective  legacy  alone  kept  the  Jews  from 
^woo|/mg  down  upon  him. 

"  Vcu  are  the  most  reckless,  Jhe  most  wickedly  extravagant 
.  man  m  the  Guards,"  this  ancient  gtand-aunt  said  to  him  in  i. 
passion  ;»  and  1  will  pay  your  debts  no  more,  sir  ;  do  you  an- 
derstand?  Gambling  and  drinking  and  horse-racing  are  hii 
enough,  Heaven  knows,  but  let  there  come  a  whisper  of  any- 
thmg  worse  to  my  ears,  and  I  disinherit  you,  and  give  every- 
thing  to  Frank;  do  you  understand?" 

"There  is  ho  mistaking  your  meaning,  my  dear  aunt,"  Guy 
answered,  with  imperturbable  good  temper.  "  I  dare  Say  you 
wih„eventually ;  I'm  an  unlucky  beggar  generally,  and  it  wiU 
only  be  of  a  piece  wuh  the  rest,  if  you  do  disinherit  me.  If  s  a 
pity,  for  Pranks  sake.  I  don't  go  to  the  bad  altogether" 

"You   have   gone  there,  sir!'?    cried  old  Miss  Karlscourt. 
Vou  re  a  disgrace  to  your  name  and  family,  sir.     Why  don't 
jrou  get  marrierl  ?  answer  me  that,  and  change  your  life,  and 
^  leave  ths  army,  and  become  a  decent  member  of  society  ?  " 
Guy  looked  at  her  with  a  face  of  unfeigned  horror. 
"Get   married!     Heaven  forbid!     My  dear  aunt,  I   don't 
like  to  doubt  your  sanity,  but  tp  propose  marriage  to  a  man  ot 
my  agt-three-and-twenty,  odd  !.    No,  it  is  not  ?o  dsepeiate  u 
that,  while  there  is  prussic  acid  enough  left  in  the  Chcmiif  8  to 
tnable  nie  to  glide;  out  of  life." 

Mis*  EarJscourt  struck  her  stick  vehemently  on  ^e  gnraiML 

looking  very  much  like  a  venerable  witch.  ^^^ 

"Lieutenant  Earlscourt,  I  say  you  Ma//jnany,and  af  niwi< 

There  18  this  girl,  who  was  your  Cher's  ward,  sb:  is  ridk 

■  undsome.     I  say  you  shall  marry  her  I " 

**  Sbatf  If"  Qumnured  Guy,  lielplei«^. 


rich    dka 


fJJ 


31 


PAUUNA. 


She  it  comJnff  home  next  mooth.  I  asked  Prank  vmk 
he  told  me,  and  you  shall  make  her  fall  in  love  with  you. 
and  marry  you.  You  are  handsome,  one  of  the  very  hanj 
•omest  young  men  1  ever  saw.  and  a  favorite  with  all  »he 
women.  I  don't  go  into  society,  but  I  hear— I  teH  vou 
•ir,  you  shall  marry  this  Paulina  Lisle,  or  I  will  disin'.icrit 
■   fOU  I 

••  But,  my  dear  madame — " 

"  Not  a  word,  not  a  syllable,  sir  !  It  is  your  last  chance 
before  you  become  altogether  disreputable.  I  have  paid 
four  debts  for  the  last  time,  and-my  money  shall  never  ec 
to  be  squandered  like  water.  Marry  this-young  womSn  ■ 
wich  her  eighty  thousand  pounds,  and  you  shall  have  every 
farthing  I  possess.  Don't  tell  me  !— a  man  with  such  a 
face,  such  a  tongue,  ajid  such  elegant  insolence  of  manner 
as  yours,  can  do  anything  he  likes  with,the  women  !  Now 
go!  kud  the  witch's  stick  pointed  to  the  door:  "don't  • 
let  me  ste  your  wicked,  spendthrift  face  again  until  you 
come  to  Aunounce  this  heiress  as  your  affianced  wife  1" 


CHAPTER  IIL 

PAULINA. 

[WAY  Along  the  dreariest  part  of  the  Essex  coast 
■  there  Stood,  and  stands  still,  a  lonely  old  manor- 
house,  closed  in  from  the  outeiswprld  by  funereal 

h«n«.  JT"' w""^  '-'^il*''*  "  '^'•*=  *"'"•"    ^^"  the  country. 
house  of  Sir  Vane  Charteris.aud  had  never  been  visited 

.«ml'!li  *"     ;*  P^^t'  ^"^/"^y  y^^'^-     ^  gloomy  and  grew 
tome  place,  {i^r,  mi los  from  the  nearest  country  neighbor. 

!.1^"k      i.^''""^"'''"^)?*  'y'"S  *>'^'o«^'  il'C  long  waves  for- 
ever  breaking  upon   the  shingly  shore,  and  the  gaunt 

-Vw^'J'w''^'"^:  'i-  ^'"O'hcring  it  all  around.         ^ 
l««J«I    Moated  Grange  "  could  hardly  liave  been  a  more 
£.^^  K    ^^u"".".  '*"^*"'"^'  "°''  *=o"'«*  "  Mariana  "  have 
WtT^r  !1k      i?;^'°'J"  *'*='"8^  ^»'"'  "P  »here  much  more 
Oalb     th  Mistress  of  "The  Firs,"  the  Widow 


,   Mis.  Weanor  Galbraith  was  the  only  sister  of  Sir  Vane  Ckar- 
ttns,  ai^d  had  spent  the  last  nineteen  years  of  l)cr  widowtlQod 


i's4,t»cji»..iirii 


lu 


cfiance 
e  paid 
verge 
^oman  • 
:  every 
such  a 
lanner 
Now 
•don't  • 
ii  you 
fel" 


PAOUNA. 


^ii 


doing  penance  at  "  The  Vns."  When  one^nd-tirenty  .he  hud 
thrown  herself  away  upon  a  subaltc-n  in  the  6<jth  Hi^nd*ri. 
which  penniless  young  officer,  dying  within  two  yearTTrit  tui 
widow  to  the  cold  charity  of  her  only  brothel-,      s 

Sir  Vane  had  bitterly  opposed  the  imprudent  matrii ;  wm  he 
comforted  Mrs.  Galbraith  in  her  wetds  and  i^idowhood  by  th* 
q^ical  aphonsm— as  she  har^made  her  bed  30  shr.  must  lie 
He  was  snortly  abdut  to  contract  a  matrimonial  aUiarte  witfc 
the  wealthy  and  beautiful  Mis*  .'livia  Lyiwiith  ;  and  a  ^^rter  a 
weeds  was  an  addition  he  did  nut  at  all  desire  in  his  nuptial  t% 
taWishment.  There  was  "  The  Firs  "  if  she  liked.  "  The  Firs  " 
^stood  in  need  of  a  mistrerss  to  keep  it  fipm  falling  to  decay.  }[« 
never  meant  to  go  near  it  himself— its^  dismalness  always  gave 
him  the  horrors.     If  Mrs.  Galbraith  chose  to  go  and  rcsidt  at 

Ihe  fru-s,    she  was  entirely  welcome,  if  nojt^ 

Mrs  Galbraith  ^rf  choose,  wrathfully,  an|  had  become  soci- 
ally extinct  from  that  hour.  Nineteen  yeJs  had  passed,  and 
gray  hau^s  had  stolen  into  her  raven  locks,  and  crow's^^eet  ii» 
pressed  themselves  under  her  eyes.  She  w^  forty-one  yeais  ol 
age,  and  was  a  handsome  likeness  of  her  br(|t|ier.  She  was 
UUjuid  majestic  of  stature;  she  had  two  bright  black  eyes, 
that  ^ed  under  straight,  thick,  black  brows ;  she  had  a  Uree 
well-shaped  nose,  a  large  mouth,  a  massive  under-jaw,  brilliiil 
white  teeth,  and  a  mustache. 

"If  Vane  had  but  acted  as  a  brother,"  Mrs.  Galbraith  wa« 
wont  bitterly  to  Lhmk,  •' v.d  allowed  me  to  go  with  him  and  his 
wife  to  \  lenna,  or  ev*-n  permitted  me  a  few  seasons  in  I^ndon. 
I  might  have  rwieemed  my  firjit  error,  and  married  well  Hand- 
K>me  young  widows  are  almost  certain  to  marry  weU  a  second 
<ime,  if  they  ha\^^^ajhance.'' 

And  the  ywaTlped  on,  and  she  grew  gray  at  "The  Fnt'' 
and  fell  into  flesh.  Look  at  her  as  she  »its%t  hei  solitary  mSv 
xl?^u-'  '^^}'}^'r  ^^^  September  sunshine  filling  the  long;  .lark. 
cW-feshioned  dming-room.  A  fine  woman,  mosi  assuredlyHa 
■pite  of  the  crow's-feet— a  stout,  handsome,  mlddleaeed  iad« 
with  a  clear  brain  and  a  firm  wSl  "vuu*c*gca  laujt 

The  rattling  of  wheels  cm  th-  drive  without  reaches  her  e»r, 
-^  most  unusual  sound  As  she  .pnngs  up  and  ««,  to  tiM 
window,  she  seen,  to  her  ungt.verpabl^  surprise,  her  brother.  Sii 

I?*    S!!?!*"'"-     ^"  "^^^  n~«^  »n<i  tlie  old  man  who  I'ic 
^tyarbirtler,  gardener,  wrcwmiSanttifitteff 


^rfs4SLm,«^Sig&kK\ 


.M'Aj.i 


&i<£^i■iS^,Ti^^i 


:k-S»^t^l^^i&M&:si^ 


•S4 


PAVum. 


Mn.  GalUaith  could  just  utter  the  one  word 

1  he  baronet  advanced  with  more  cordiality  than  he  had 

duplayed  toward  her,  and  held  out  his  hand. 

"My  dear  Eleanor,  I  am  glad  to  see  you  again."     He  drew 

fter  o  hiin,  and  <  kissed  her  wholesome  brown  cheek.     ••Ve» 

^'kLJvT  f^"'  *?  '"!"y  J'^^^i  *°^  \oo\xa%  so   nictly  too 
W  Bat  I  luncheon  already  ! "  ' 

He  flung  himself  into  a  chat,  and  glanced  at  the  substanti- 
uly  spread  uble.  "oi«»"u- 

"  Dinner,  Sir  Vane  Charteris !  I  dine  at  the  hour  at  which 
people  of  your  world  breakfast.  One  nearly  fcrgets  the  usages 
01  civUized»life  aAer  nmeteen  years'  solitude  at  •  The  FirsT^ 

"1  hope  not,  Eleanor,"  answered  Sir  Vane  coolly.x"  as  I  de- 
sire you  V  once  to  return  to  my  world,  as  you  call  it  I  have 
come  down  to  remove  you  fro.n  'The  Fus'  to  mytown-house.?' 

Mrs.  Galprauh  gave  a  gasp.     At  last !— what  she  had  pined 
lor,  prayed  her,  sighed  for,  during  nineteen  years  had  come  ! 
You  have  heard  of  my  unfortunate  domestic  calainitv  ?" 

I  had  half  resolved  t6  sell  the  lease  of  the  Meredan  Street 
House  ;  but  circumstances  have  occurred  lately  that  have  caused 
me  to  change  my  mind.  I  have  been  appointed  guarcfian  to  a 
young  lady  an  heiress,  whom  I  wish  to  present  to  soc3ty." 

Indeed!  saidAJrs.  Galbraith,  with  her  black  eyes  fixed  on 
her  brother's  fece.  "I  saw  a  brief  paragraph  in  the  Morning 
^i^x/  concerning  it  A  Miss  Paulina  Lisle,  formerly  the  warf 
M  the  late  Lord  Montalien— is  it  not?" 

"  The  same ;  and  a  very  handsome  and  charming  youne  ladv 
£  assure  you,  with  eighty  thousands  pounds  as  her  fortunl  She 

r«i  CIT"^!!"^*^  ^^^  ^y  ^''^  Duchess  of  Clanronald. 
and  make  her  debut,  with  yourself  for  chapeij^.  Meantime 
*e  comes  from  h  ranee  m  a  month,  and  will  go  out  a  great  deal ' 
to  iloubt,  m  a  quiet  way,  this  autumn  and  Winter.  The  Christ 
was  ahd  hunting  season  we  are  to  spfend  at  Mcntalie*.  Priory. 
Mv  town-houst  must  be  set  in  order  at  once,  and  ybuwaU  ore- 
iide^m  my  wife's  pUce.     Maud  shaU  leave  school,  wd  hav?  • 

"You  give  yourselves  considerable  trouble  for  your  new 
iraid,  said  Mrs.  Gj,'braidi,  who  knejw  thai  giving  iumself  troo. 
Wefoi  anything  or  anybody  was  not  her  brother's  weakneM^ 

Who  IS  this  Paulina  Lisle  ?    One  of  the  Sussex  1  .islei  >  " 


2  No  i  1  believe  the  father  was  of  ^cotcK  descent?*^ 
"She  is  an  oiphan,  of  coutae  7  " 


'^i^^ifc^'.-..  ■ 


■    .-   %     v^J 


—3    *     *iie^Jfllt. 


■•■wv» 


PdUUNA. 


m 


Oh,  no,  the  fal>i-r  rtres  out  in  California,  bat  oot  b  ttu 

I  i  *:? '^  *°; '''^''"  "^  "^'"g'*"*!-  He  was  an  old  frienji  of 
i-ord  Montalien,  and  intrusted  his  heiress  to  him,  with  tha 
power  to  appoint  a  guardian  in  his  stead  in  ihe  erent  <rf  hji 
death.  I  have  been  apjwinted,  and  trouble  or  no.  I  chaU  d» 
my  dnty  to  this  young  lady." 

"  The  mother  is  dead,  I  supyose  i  ** 

"  Of  course.  Can  yon  be  ready  to  tetnm  to  town  with  im 
to-morrow,  Kleanor?"  •"  »•■ 

"Quite  ready,"  said  Mr»  Gaitoroith ;  and  then,  while  Sir  Vane 
went  to  his  room,  she  fini&lc-j  iier  dinner,  regardine  her  elate 
with  a  thc^ughtful  frown.  8«"*nK  ner  p^w 

-.nl',w?^  ^l'  changed  very  greatly,"  she  mused,  "or  he  nevei 
would  have  burdened  himself  with  a  ward  afc  all  Is  he  keep, 
mg  something  back,  I  Wonder  ?  Has  he  designs  upon  this  Mis« 
Lule  s  fortune  ?  Does  he  expect  his  wife  to  die,  and  that  thii 
young  heiress  will  niarry  him  ? "  '  . 

The  baronet  and  his  sister  returned  to  town  early  next  day. 
and  Mrs.  Galbraith  set  to  work  at  once  with  a  zeal  and  eneriry 
that  showed  she  had  lost  none  of  her  sharp,  faculties  durina 
her  nineteen  years'  exile  from  the  world.     She  saw;  to  tl  e  r^ 
furnishing  and  repainting  and  rehanging  of  the  hous^and  roomi 
to  the  l^ate,  the  linen   the  liveries,  all.     Long  before  the  niid 
Ole  of  October  arnved,  the  house  in  Meredan  Street,  Berkeley 
square,  was  quite  ready  for  the  reception  of  Miss  Paulina  Lisla 
hir  Vane  brought  his  daughter  home,  and  then  started  foi 
irance.     The  baronet's  daughter  Was  in  her  sixteenth  year  now 
small  of  stature,  dark  of  skin,  and  with  a  pale,  precocious  httln 
lace.     bhe  had  quite  the  air  and  conversation  of  a  grown-uD 
person,  knew  a  deal  of  life,  and  French  literature,  co\iU  i.U? 
a  Uttle,  sing  a  little,  draw  a  little,  and  dance  and  talk  a  grwi 
JeaL     Her  aunt^nd  she  fraternized  at  once,  dfove  out  in  rbc 
Faik  together,  and  speculated  what  manner  of  person  this  Mim 
usle  might  be  now.  ^^ 

w  'X^"fu**^®'^  ^y^  ^  is  veiy  hanosome,  Maud,"  obserred 
Mrs.  (talbraith. 

"  Handsome  I  oh  dear,  no,  quite  a  plain  young  person,  witb 
great  eyes,  and  undy  hair,  and^he  rudest  loanners.  Quite  an 
uninfomied,  gawky  cuuntry-girl ! " 

ly Jn^lg„e  veilings  of  A  dismaUday  in  October,  Sir  Vaa«  — 
•nd  hia  ward  arrived.     It  had  rained  and  bio  vn  heavily  all  da? 
long.    Miss  Lisle  had  suffered  agonies  worse  Uttn  di^ath  cros^ 
tog  Uw  ChMUuO,  and  wwu  hm^  and  i%M,  and  wocbegoiir 


*     »W?lJ^  -1-^        TW)    i 


:^^ 


»|8  PAmJUA. 

jn  objict  ai  can  be  conceiveA     Mn.  Oalbnlth  shrened  \m 
broad  shoulders  as  she  looked  at  the  wan,  spiritless  fac? 

And  you  caUed  her  handwme,  Vane?"  she  said  to  h« 
orother.  ^^, 

Sir  Vaiie  laughed  gnmly.    ' 

"Wait  until  to-morrow,"  was  his  oracular   respoosc.  la  hi 
too  :n  a  used-up  state,  retired  to  his  room. 
«li^    J^cutalien,  who  since  the  middle  of  the  previous  S«p. 
>ttOber,  had  spent  the  chief  part  of  his  time  in  town,  chan^ 
»  be  m  the  house.     He  was  a  frequent  visitor.     The  house 
m^\  plea^nt,  the  wii.es  arid  cook  excellent     Mrs.  Galbraidi 
a  capital  hostess  and  a  clever  woman,  and  little  Mand,  in  a 
rn^[|?KT'  ''°"*^  ^  namageable.      Her  mother'-  fortune 
»oilJ  be  hers,  and  should  Miss  Lisle  prove  obdurate  to  his 
•uit.  why.  It  nugh^  be  as  well  ta  win  the  regards  of  Miss  Cliar-    . 
tens.      To  marry  a  nch  wife  he  was  resolved— at  heart  he  war 
a  yinry  miser,  and  worshi|)i)ed  gold  for  gold's  sake. 

"A  sickly,  sallow,  spiritless  creature  as  ever  I  saw!"  was 
Wrs.  Galbraiih's  contemptuous  verdict  on  her  return  to  the 
irawmg-room.  "  There  will  not  be  much  credit  in  chaperon- 
mg  her.  1  dare  say  she  will  marry ;  girls  with  eighty  thousand 
pounds  are  pretty  safe  to  go  olT,  but  half  the  men  in  London 
mil  certainly  npt  lose  their  senses  about  her  I  And  mr  brothei 
told  me  she  was  pretty  I " 

"She  K/aj' pretty,"  said  Lord  MontaUen,  "more  than  pretty 
tf  I  remember  nght.  two  years  ago.  Allan  Fane,  an  artiS 
friend  of  mine,  the  man  who  married  Di  Hautton,  you  know 
nearly  went  mad  about  her  when  she  was  only  a  poor,  bttle 
penniless  country-girl.  Some  girls  do  grow  up  plal^^  and  I 
suppose  ^  IS  one  of  them.  \Ve  shall  be  treat«id  to  austere 
convent  am^  no  doubt  and  have  ...  listen  to  Monastery  Bells 
and  Vesper  Hymns,  whenever  she  sits  down  to  the  pi»io." 

Lome  to  dinner  to-morrow  and  see,"  was  Mrs.JG«lbfaith'i 
tt^nse.     And  his  loidship  laughingly  promised  Z;    ith  the 

p:^^•n^  nofretum  to  his  own  elegant  bachelors  JuOgings  b 
PicciMlilly,  but  drove  to  Gilbert's  Gardcis,  and  spent  Ihc  even- 
ing  very  agreeably  ia  the  society  of  a  lady  whom  .le  called 
Aflce,  and  to  whom  he  did  not  speak  of  the  return  at 
raiilina  Lisle. 

TjK>rd  Montalien,  as  a  privileged  friend  of  the  family,  came 
rariy  to  the  houie^fBtf-Vw»Ch*rteriythefoaoiring  evening 


*ii.— -  L    .  7.- ~..-  ».c  foilowing  eveiitnc 

■''"*  F^  to  be  a  dinner-party,  but  he  was  the  firrt  qf  tC 


f 

c 

i 
b 

o 

ci 
« 

& 

bi 
otf 
m 


^Mdt.:ii^ 


J  ^-i*-  ji  iJS*"4kf 


PAUUNA. 


,|Oerti  to  arrire.     M: 


«j; 


^i-^»  w,  .mTe.     Mr^  Galbraith,  in  crimson  relm.   lUrdf 
>d  .uajestic.  rrceived  him  in  the  winter  drawiMK  ro^i      TwJ 

rhh  r  I?**  "2'  *'''!  ^PP*^"  «  P"^"^  ^"°thcr,  tall  and^et 
w  blue  sUk,  with  violets  m  hei  shining,  gold  brown  hair  Ix^ 
Montauen  approached  her  at  once  with'ou^^Tt^heS^d 

♦•As  I  was  the  last  to  say  fareweU  to  Miss  Paulina  UsJ-  o. 
E?g&^"'  "  '''  "^  ^^  ^^  ^»»  ^  welcome  he,  ^1^ 

luJ^i^th  IVCg^l  e7eT''  "^'  ^^^^  ^  ^"  ^^  *-«^ 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  you  were  not  chc  l4»t  to  sav  farewell  ta 

me  upon  my  departure  from  England."  she  retorS  aXt  liJ 

d«jactenstic  that  her  first  word? were  a  con^^^n      uy^ 

.Jtr  *^^  *"^'  y°"'  ^'-  Earlscourt." 
Not  Mr.  Earlscourt  how    mv  H«.ar »»  .»«,>^*i.i     •    • 
Mr..  Galbraith.     ••  Lord  Mo"'taT!en  "  ^'^  "^''*^ 

.™^^''T  "^  ??°  bf  whatever  is  most  famUiar"  with  a  Ion., 
tender  glajic.  "  a.  so  old  a  friend  *ould"  ^ 

J.e  ^d'lcy^S"^"  *'^L;^"P--<i  up  her  bright  Upswitb 

»«.  Hvj2^:^i,.„t'„rr  ^o;:.TsSr:  Sis  ?c 

«^  Ti'!r'«'"',?°  ».<'i='«M  "iiKiow,  huninsu  a  French 
J^  Lord  Montahen  looted  after  her,  theo?M,s.  <^ 

iMlS^^H  ^SLl'^n^  superbly.    The  «Iim  form  had  growB 
Mer  and  rather  fuller,  «s  willowy  grace  was  per^     Th? 
fc^perlups.  was  a  trifle  too  pale  anfthinKiill.  Ke  la«e 
Whyt,  sapplure  eyes,  the  sparkling  white  teeth,  tte^S 
tm^implmg  *n.Ues,  and  the  a«reole  of  bronze  ha^,  woSd 
rf  rhSiif^^**'''  ^'°  ^*"^-      '"  »^"  nineteenth  ye;^.  eSI 

^2}  !Er^y '».**^  ^«^  Ae  fiank  lips  told^dS^S^ 
mdl  all  the  «id«city  of  a  child     A  lovely  fir^b  to  fim 


«^ 


.# 


^:;# 


4 


^* 


•ss 


PAUUNA. 


jrooth,  with  a  will  and  a.  spirii,  and  a  tempes,  1d(\  o#  her  own, 
ready  at  a  moment's  notice  ti?  do  battle  for  frientfe  mr  witli 
foes. 

"  A  half-tamed  filly,  with  a  wicked  light  in  the  ey-s,"  tbougfai 
lA>rd  Montalien.  "  My  dear  Mrs.  Galbraith,  I  don't  w»oc  \t 
discourage  you,  But  your  si)iritless  dC'biitante  mill  give  yon  » 
much  trouble  in  the  future  as  ever  debutante  gave  chaiierone  . 
That  young  lady  means  to  have  her  own  way  or  know  tb> 
i^eajon  why." 

"  Young  ladies  with  eighty  t^iousand^  pounds  generally  tU 
hacvc  their  own  way,"  th6  lady  answered.  "  Do  you  mean  to 
tnter  the  list,  my  lord  ?  The  competition  will  be  brisk.  She 
is  a  handsome  girl,  despite  yesterday's  «ea-sickness.  Just  the 
sort  of  girl  men  lose  their  heads  for  most  readily.  By  the  by, 
she  has  been  asking  for  your  scapegrace  brother." 

Mrs.  Galbraith  rose  to  receive  sonie  riew  guest,  and  Lord 
Montalien  approached  the  window  where  M  iss  Lisle  still  stood  ^ '', 
^azing  out  at  the  twilit  street     She  glanced  over  her  shoul 
^r,  and  asked  him  a  question  before  he  could  speak. 

"My  lord,  how  long  js  it  since  you  were  at  Speckhaven ? " 

"A  little/bver  a  week,  Miss  Lisle.  K^m  mean  to  visit  it 
coon,  1  suppose  ?  By;>  the  way,  there  is  quite  an  old  friend  di 
fours  stopping  at  A^ntalien." 

"  Indeed  !  ^  ^mkcr  Old  friend,  like  yourself,  whom  I  have 
probably  8ee!|  mr'ee  times.'' 

"  More  tlwn  that.  Miss  Lisle.     I  allude  to  Allan  Fane." 

"Oh!'-  ^d  Paulina,  and  laughed  and  blushed.  "Yrs,  1 
taw  a  gou^  deal  of  Mr.  Fane  at  one  time.  He  wanted  me  to 
4it  foi  {^picture,  you  know.  Mrs.  Fane  is  there  too,  1  sup- 
pose?" 

•*  ^lo,  Mn  Fane  is  alone.  Mrs.  Fane  is  in  Germany  ibr  hei 
(|ea|||i,  which  is  poor.  They  meet  once  or  twice  a  year,  1  be- 
lieve, and  are  always  perfectly  civil  to  each  other ;  but,  as  a 
fiile,  they  get  op  much  more  happily  with  two  or  three  hundred 
leagues  b  ^tw^n  them.  Mrs.  Kane  giuws  old  and  sickly,  and  ii 
uptoriously  jealous  of  her  husband  " 

"  Pool  Mr.  Fane !  And  your  brother,  my  lord-  -is  he,  too^  at 
Monulien?" 

"  You  remember  Guy,  then  ?  pctor  Guy  1 " 

**  Certainly  I  remember  Guy.     1  saw  a  yreat  deal  tatan  of 
Tte^ ffiai  Tever  dTd  oTyou ;  aM  two  yeawiB  nm iodi  an     "^ 
nity  1    And  why  ftor  Guy  ?  " 

MMarMUM — iw^tisp — you  haven't  heard,  then?" 


*y«* 


PAVUSA, 

**tdnl  Montalien,  I  only  reached  England  late  lart  <4|^  t 
iKNr  iras  I  to  hear  anything  ?  Nothing  veiy  dreadful  hai  be 
fcllen  your  brother,  I  hope  ?  " 

"  Your  interest  does  liim  too  much  honor.  He  it  qmt«  k> 
worthy  ol  it" 

«•  Why,  please?" 

"  Because— my  dear  Miss  Lisle,  it  it  not  a  pleasant  story  rai 
ne  to  tell,  for  you  to  hear.  Guy  has  gone  to  the  bad,  as  the> 
WKtt  if  you  know  what  that  means." 

"  I  should  think  I  did ;  it  seams  tolerably  plain  Enghsh.  It 
means,  I  suppose,  be  has  spent  all  his  money,  and  got  into 
liebt" 

«*It  means  that,  and  more,"  Lord  Montalien  answered, 
gloomily;  "it  means  debt,  and  gambling,  and  all  sorts  d 
horrors." 

"Yes.  But  you  are  very  rich,  my  lord,  and  he  is  your  only 
brother.  I  should  think  his  d^^bts  would  not  signify  much  while 
you  have  plenty  of  money." 

The  dark  blood  rose  up  over  his  lordship's  face. 
'  "  Miss  Lisle,  you  don't  understand,  and  it  is  impossible  to 
explain — to  you.     Guy  has  gone  to  the  bad  in  every  sense  ol 
the  word.     Pray  do  not  ask  me  any  more." 

He  shifted  away  from  the  gaze  of  the  innocent,  wondering 
blue  eyes.  She  did  not  in  the  least  comprehend  what  he 
wished  her  to  comprehend  by  his  innuendoes.  Guv  gambled 
an^  spent  his  money ;  she  understood  just  that,  and  no  more. 

"Well,"  she  said,  too  highly  bred  to  press  an  unwelcome 
subject,  "  that  was  not  what!  wished  to  say.  Did  you  hear— 
was  there  any  news  ?  "  ,.She  hesiuted  a  little,  and  a  faint  flush 
rose  up  over  her  fair  ace.  "  Has  anything  been  Jieard  o4 
Alice  Warren?" 

The  question  confounded  him,  and  yet  he  mi^t  have  ex* 
peeked  it  '  . 

"Auce   Warren,"  he  stammered.     ** Alice  Warren?    Who 

k  the  ?  " 

"  Wkp  is  she  t"  Paulina  repeated,  emphaticaUy;  "you^ 
«ot  need  to  ask  that  question  two  years  ago,  when  you  admired 
bar  tc  greatly.  Lord  Montalien." 

**  Admured  her  so  greatly  I  oh,  of  course,  I  know  no»w— how 
MBpid  1  am-^you  mean  the  bailiff's  daughter,  of  courae  ?" 
—^  "Yet,  I  mear  the  bailiff's  daughter.  <Poor  Alice4^" 


There  it  no  news  of  her,  that  I  have  heard.     It  it  a  ni| 
tiling,  Smt  MinBiog  away  fiY»i'home  as  she  AL** 


S40 


fAVUiiA. 


" '*«'»»»  *e  JcMt  strange,"  ictorted  Panlina,  wltb  iMr 
tomvy  frankness.     *'  She  jan  vr^  to  be  nianied." 

"To  be  married!"  Lord  H««»t«i:eD s  face  was  staitled  ud 
pale  as  he  repeated  it 

"  Certainly.     She  wrote  to  rae  th?  right  before  shs  kft  hotti, 
I  *»ave  the  letter  yet.     She  told  me  ah  f  was  going  to  be  tttamt«i' 

"  Did  she  tell  you  to  whom  ?  " 

His  heart  was  bearing  quick  as  he  asked  the  question,  thosrt 
M  knew  what  the  answer  would  be. 

f  Jlfw    ^?  ^'"^  °"*  "^""^  ^^^  '"  '■^"'^  though,  I  know. 

UJTd  Montalien,  don't  you  suspect  it  was  one  of  the  genUcmcn 

•Uying  at  your  place  la»t  month  ?  " 

He  had  had  time  to  control  himself,  otherwise  the  gaze  of 
«  IJKK*''  <^^""t  eyes  must  have  disconcerietl  him  horribly. 
Miss  Lisle,  1  have  thought,  I  Have  sus|)ecled !     She  lei 

tote  m  the  evcnirtg.     Have  you  heard  who  travelled  up  with  hev 

to  X.ondon  ?"  .  ; 

"Of  course  not ;  I  have  heard  nothing  but  what  her  own  let- 

Icr  tells  me,  and  a  few  brief  lines  from  Duke  Mason,  saying  she 

was  gone,  no  one  knew  where  or  why.     Who  went  with  her  ud 

to  London  ?  "  ^ 

"  Miss  Lisle,  will  you  take  my  arm  ?  They  are  going  in  to 
dinner.  Aid  will  you  forgive  me  if  1  do  not  answer  your  ques- 
non?  She  wat  your  friend— it  is  not  frtrni  my  lips  yoif  should 
•near  the  nane  of  her  companion." 

"  Do  vmi  mean  your  brother  ?  "  she  demanded,  abiMpUy. 

"I  am  Htm  to  say— I  do." 

"  Then  1  don't  believe  one  word  that  she  ran  away  to  be 
jnamcd  to  ^m/"  answenrd  Miss  Lisle,  with  calm  decision. 
She  never  cared  for  him,  and  he  never  paid  her  the  lear»  at- 
tention whatever.  He  may  have  gone  up  with  her  to  Iwmdon, 
but  I  am  quite  certain  yoar  brother  i*  not  the  man  whom  rkc 
has  nnamed." 

"  \  "^1.*  ^  married  \ "  Lord  MonaSen  said,  stang  to  bitter- 
jesB  by  her  words.  Miss  Lisle  did  ^^ot  blu^i  one  whit  She 
looiced  at  him  with  surprised,  unshaued  eyes ;  the  open,  fear- 
less  case  of  perfect  innocence. 

"  Of  course  she  is  married ! "  she  said ;  "  she  told  me  she  was 

gnng  to  be.     Do  you  think  she  would  run  away  to  seek  her 
rtune  alone  m  London  ?    Thrre  were  other  gentlemen  •>  ^ 
nionr,  last  September,  beside  your  brother,  1  suppose?" 
=^^^ori-—  Allan  Fane,  Siir  HanyGordonTaSa^Caiitali   " 


m 


.SM.'', 


PAUUNA. 


241 


••AndvonrMlf?" 

•«And  myself." 

She  looked  at  him  seard.tPf(tfr  a  moment  his  face  baffled 
itct.  She  turned  away,  and  resumed  her  dinner  with  a  lesolui* 
ur. 

**  I  shall  find  out,"  she  slid,  quietly ;  '*  I  am  going  down  to 
Speck  haven  the  day  »iW  to-moirrow  to  spend  a  week ;  I  shaB 
Izti  oaL" 

"Going  down  to  Sp^cVhaven,"  he  echoed,  "to  spend  a  week 
irith  your  old  frienri  Mason,  I  presume." 

"  Yes  ;  dear  o'd  Duke !  He  will  be  glad  to  see  me.  And 
I  shall  find  out  all  about  Alice  Warren."  ^ 

Lord  Montalien  was  by  no  means  allowed  to  monopolize  the 

oine  of  the  evening.    .Sir  Vane  had  invited  several  veiy  eiigi- 
\t  unmarried  men,  and  Miss  Lisle's  beauty  and  spirited  style 

conversation  h?.d  already  produced  considerable  impression. 
Her  manner  was  simply  perfect ;  a  belle  of  four  seasons  pould 
not  hdve  been  more  entirely  and  gracefully  at  ease.  She 
talked  very  much  better  than  most  young  ladies.  Paulina  was 
clever,  and  had  ideas  of  her  own,  and  it  was  quite  refreshing  to 
some  of  those  mep  about  town  to  hear  her  fresh  views  of  peo- 
ple and  things.  She  was  charming ;  that  was  the  universal 
verdict — beautiful  beyond  doubt,  accomplished' and  rich.  She 
sang  after  (hnner,  and  her  rich  voice  astonished  her  hearers,  fo 
fiill,  so  sweeL 

"  She  is  equal  to  Patti  I "  was  the  verdict  of  more  than  one 
present     "  It  is  a  superb  soprano." 

Altogether,  Miss  Lisle's  first  appearance,  though  her  part  this 
evening  was  a  small  one,  was  an  entire  success.  Lord  Monta- 
fien  found  h^self  fascinated  in  a  way  he  could  not  understand. 
She  was  so  unlike  the  ordinary  English  Miss  he  was  accustomed 
to  ;  she,  was  so  piquant,  so  sparkhng,  so  brightly  liandsome  and 
tudacious,  that  she  bewildered  him.  She  possessed  that  spell 
in  rsistible  in  man  or  woman — the  gill  of  fascination — her  joy-* 
0U3  laugh,  her  ringing  voice,  the  bright  flash  of  her  eyes,  Xxxk. 
|it)ur  heart  by  storm  before  you  knew  it 

Miss  Lisle  had  said,  in  all  honesty,  that  sl:e  meant  to  go 
do»n  to  Speckhaven  in  two  days ;  but  with  the  best  of  inten^ 
dok.3,  the  sincerest  affection  X  her  two  friends  there,  two  weeks 
dapsetjf  bgfore  the  prom  jseo  visit  was  made. 
^^l^dnddn  n.ighi  be  empty  to  some  people,  and  the 
over^  but  to  this  young  lady,  fresh  from  her  twili^t  convent 
life,  ^t  WW  the  roofft  poputoos  «nd  delightfiil  of  dtJCf*    iihf 


^^\' 


a43  PAVLiiyji^^ 

went  oat  continuaBy ;  and  October  was  very  near  its  k\xm 
when,  one  frosty  eveniiig;  Miss  Lisle  opened  the  btde  cardeK 

Sate  of  Dnke  Mason's,  an;l  walked  through  the  open  from 
oor.  There  were  changes,  many  and  great,  in  hers<f£  but  not 
one  heie.  The  roses  and  geraniums  bloomed  in  perencial 
freshness,  the  old  cat  basked  on  the  hearth,  the  old  order,  «i 
lence,  cleanliness  prevailed,  and  Rosanna  on  hei  knres  ww 
toasting  muffins  for  tea.  Two  arms  went  around  her  neck,  and 
Ml  impetuous  kiss,  the  only  kiss  poor  Rosanna  had  received 
since  she  had  said  good  by  to  her  nursling,  was  pressed  ufjon 
her  withered  cheek.  Duke  came  in  presently.  The  firelight 
shone  redly  through  the  room,  the  lamp  burned  on  the  mantel 
the  table  was  spread  for  supper,  and  a  graceful,  girlish  f.gwrc 
sat  on  a  low  stool,  fresn  and  beautiful  as  a  rose-bud.  iJiike 
stood  a.  second  regarding  this  picture,  then  advanced  with  cut 
stretched  hand. 

f  Wfell,  Dufchess,"  he  said,  as  if  they  had  parted  two  weeks 
instead  of  tvfro  years  before,  "  you  have  come  back,  after  all." 

And  so  ;•' Polly"  was  home  again,  but  somehow  it  was  not 
the  Pojly  of  old.  The  fault  was  not  hers :  she  strove  to  be  in 
aU  thl%s  precisely  the  girl  who  had.  left  them,  but  she  sat  be-' 
fore  them,  a  tall  young  lady,  out  of  their  world  altogether,  with 
the  new  dignity  of  dawning  womanhood  upon  her  ;  educated 
refined,  rich,  handsome,  fau-er  than  ever,  but  never  again  hiilt 
'  Polly."  ^' 

Late  in  the  evening  of  the  ensuing  day,  Mr.  Allan   Fane 
Ousily  at  work  since  early  morning,  threw  down  brushes  and 

it"*^'rl"  1"^"'.  2«>d.  started  for  his  daily,  brisk,  twiligh\ 
walk.  On  this  particular  evening,  his  steps  turned  shoreward  : 
he  strolled  along  through  the  lamplit  town,  and  down  to  Pperrk- 
haven  sands.  The  Cave  was  a  favorite  resort  of  his,  wheie  he 
could  sit  and  smoke  and  watch  the  gray,  whispenng  sea,  and 
think,  perhaps,  of  the  girl  who  had  first  brought  hm,  thne. 
He  was  thinking  of  her  now  as  he  advanced  along  the  shirgU 
path,  whence  she  had  long'vago  led  him.  Tiie  last  rays  of  th< 
ftrting  daylight  wehe  in  the  cold,  gray  skyj  pale-yellow  gleami 
of  wintry  brightness  tit  Uic  west,  and  there  was  a  nng  cf  sharp^ 
ness  m  the  evening  air.  His  steps  echoed  'oudiyon  the  sands, 
Ukd  a  quiet  figure  standing  at  the  enwance  of  the^'avc,  watch 
mg  those  pale  yellow  gleam».  turned  j^t  the  sound.  And  1,« 
lad  Paulina  laaiesto^  Mi  t'acgtQface^ 


7^  He  turned  pale  at  the  .^igut;     He  had  not  cxearosd  she  waj 
bi  Speckh«v«ii.    H«  had  t)«««  thinking  of  her,  ima<iiun|  \m 


". .  i-...^ ' 


^' 


W"* 


•AVUMA. 


343 


radunt  in  *er  new  life,  and  here  she  rose  up  before  hitn,  like  « 
spirit  in  die  gloaming  i  She  r^ognized  him  immediatelj,  and 
held  out  her  hand,  with  her  frank,.bright  stnile. 

"  It  w  Ml.  Fane  !  "  she  cried.  "The  very  last  person  I  ex- 
pected to  see  \  lx>rd  Montalien  mentioned  your  being  at  th« 
P:iory,  too,  but  I  havl  actually  forgotten  all  about  it" 

Yes— the  whp^s  story  was  told  in  those  lightly  spoken  words 
— she  had  "  forjjo'ten  all  about  it,"  and  all  about  him,  at  cona- 
?letc.ly  as  though  ae  had  never  entered  her  life,  lie  had  loved 
4er  as  honestly  And  strongly  as  an  honester  and' stronger  niaa 
-*«e  had  given  her  up  <vf  his  own  accord,  and  he  had  no  right 
iQ  complain.  But  the  bitter  sense  of  loss  was  ever  there —  the 
brilliant,  spirited  face  haanted  him  by  night  aod  dav  I 

"Well,'  said  Miss  l.isle,  "yqu  don't  look  very  cordial,  1 
must  say  I  Do  you  take  me  for  a  ghost,  or  a  menn»id.  Mr. 
Fane?  You  see  I  have  been  paying  visits  all  day  to  my  old 
friends  ;  and  this,  my  seaside  grotto,  is  the  last  on  the  list 
And  now  I  really  must  go  home.  Poor  Rosanna  has  a  horro» 
of  night-dews  and  night-winds.  ,  She  takes  me  to  be  a  ti  agile 
blossom,  that  a  shar\),  autumn  blast  wo\ild  nip  in  twain.  If 
fou  won't  say  anything  else,  Mr.  Fane,  perhaps  yOu  itttJJ  aa.y 
good-night ! "  ,  ,  * 

She  laughed— Polly's-  sweet,  gay  laugh— 4few  her  sHWw! 
closer  about  her,  and  turned  to  ,gOi  She  was  very,  simpb 
dressed,  in  a  dirk  me'rino,  a  soft  gray  shawl,  and  a  little  pork, 
pie  hat,  with  a  scarlet  bird's  wing.  But  though  he  saw  hei 
often  after  in  silks  and  roses,  the  queen  pf  the  ball,  never  did 
she  look  lovelier  than  at  that  moment.  Me  S|)oke  with  some- 
thing of  an  eflfort-^good  Heavens,  how  cold  and  <|)>mniDnplac« 
the  words  sounded  I        _    ' 

"  You  will  permit  me;  to  see  yo\i  hotne.  Miss  I..isle — it  wilf 
be  quite  dark  before  you  are  half  way,  and  the  town  is  fidl  of 
strangers,  down  for  the  October  meeting." 

A  provoking  smile  dawned  on  her  face.  She  had  not  en 
irely  forgotten  the  past,  and  the  temptation  to  give  hini  » 
vnall  stab  was  irresistible. 

"  I  am  not  the  least  afraid ;  thanks. 
And,  beside —it  is  quite  unparjonatle 
Afraid,  but  1  have  heard. Mrs.  Fane  is-^j< 
■he  ^uld  mind  very  greatly  if  1  permitted  you 


l«ine7' 


ry  much,  Mr.  Fane 

to  say  it — I  aof 

Do  you  think 

to  eacorl  m* 


He  looked  at  her — a  dark  painful  flush  rising  on  his  (ace. 
f*  You  are  mercileM,"  tie  aaid.    **  You  had  pur  leveime  Mr« 


.  ^,..%, 


P40UlfA. 

rem  ago.  on. «).«  J.iy  j^  gave  me  back  my  lin*  I    You  midt 
fisire  me  now  j  '  '    — »  •"•»- 

"  Tne  nng  you  presetted  the  same  night  to  Nf iss  Hautton 
I  WW  II  o::  ner  fingti  when  i  dined  at  U»e  Pnory.     Plea« 
flon  t  tn  to  be  sentimental,  Mt.  Fane ;  I  have  grown  dreadfull* 
»U  and  wise  smce  that  foolish  nine,  and  pretty  sj^eches  are 
iiulje  tJjfown  away  ujwn  me,  1  assure  you.     And  you    nay 
jnX\  home  with  me^let  us  hope  Mrs.  Fane  »pU  never  hear  ir.' 
a      ««  e)es  were  laughing  wickedly.     IndeeU,  it  was  a  weak 
(▼  aess  of  this  heroine  of  mine. 

"She  is  always  laiighing^thjit  Miss  Lisle,"  an  aggrieved  ad. 
aurer  had  said  >  "and  the  deuce  of  it  is,  a  man  doesn't  knon 
whether  sl^  is  laughing  with  him  or  at  him." 

"Pretty  speeches  are  thrown  away  upon  you,  are  they?" 
Wld  Mr.  Fane,  as  they  walked  along,  side  by  snle.  "  I  can  be- 
Jeve  It— surfeited  with  them  as  you  are.  Do  you  know  what 
Madame  Rumor  says.  Miss  Lisle?" 

"  Very  scandalous  things,  no  doul^t.     What  ?  " 

.."T'l**  y°"  *fe  t^>  ^e  presented *next  season  a«  my  Ladv 
KConuhen!"  '         ' 

"Then  Rumor  telli  most  unconscionable  &bi I "  answeted 
Faulma,  carelessly.     "  I'm  not  I "  • 

"  You  never  liked  F'rancis  Earlscourt" 

"Didntl?"  ^ 

"  You  don't  like  Lord  Montalien." 

"  Don't  I .?" 

"  Miss  Lisle,  you  know  you  don't !     Your  fdce  tells  the 
story  of  your  likes  and  dislikes  plainly  enough." 

"  I  must  be  verrungrateful,  very  -unjust,  if  I  do  not.  Lord 
Montahen  is  most  kind,  most  courteous,  and  we  are  all  com-  * 
irg  down  to  spend?thristmas  and  the  hunting  season  at  tie 
Priory.     To  speak  ill  of  one's  future  host  in  his  absence  is  a 
return  of  hospitality  not  strictly  Arabian." 

•*  And  how  does  London  life  suit  you  ?" 

*'  Oh,  excessively  I  have  been  out  every  night  since  my 
return,  and  I  don't  know  the  meaning  of  the  word  fati-'ue  • 
and  I  look  forward  to  next  season  as  a  child  to  a  hoiuJay' 
Do  you  know— Ijier  girlish  pleasure  shining  in  her  great  eyes 
— ♦'  the  Duchess  of  Clamonald  is  going  to  present  me  ?" 

"You  are  to  be  envied.  Miss  Li.le.  And  after  one  or  two 
brilliant  seasons,  the  Morning  Post  ^\\\  announce  a  brilliant 


nrafnapT 

He  could  not  help  harping  on  this  string.  He  bad  lost  her 


iim 


X 


MtnjNA, 


r 


Mi 


mmS  he  loved  her  nowai  we  do  love  the  thing;i  we  have  forevet 

Everybody  mames,  and  I  suppose  1  shall  after  four  or  five  .e* 
sons,  when  1  am  quite— oh,  quite  an  elderly  person  of  ftmr  oc 
five  and  twenty— some  'fine  did  English  gentleman  wl^  Lat  » 
great  estate.  Are  you  quite  alone  at  the  Priory,  Mr.  Fane; 
and  might  iane  ask  why  you  bury  yourself  alive  there  ?" 

"1  am  working  hard.  Miss  Lisle,  and  1  find  -nspiration  ta 
fte  air  of  Sp^ckhaven.  Do  you  recollect  the  •  Rosamond  ind 
Jiieanor  ?  Yes,  1  see  you  do— 1  am  finishing  thai  for  tfe» 
»pnng  exhibition."  ** 

She  looked  at  him  saucily. 
•       "And  what  little  country-girl  have  you  chos^  for  Fair  Rosa 
naond  now !     Please  be  merciful  as  you  are  strong,  Mr.  fane 
'nd  don't  tm-n  her  head  with  your  flatteries." 

"I  paint  my  Rosamond  from  memory— my  Eleanor  is  on« 
of  the  housemaids  at  the  Priory-a  tall,  blacky  browed,  Roman- 
nosed  young  Ionian,     And  1  am  quite  alone  up  in  the  bia 
rambling  old  mansion.     Guy  was  with  me  during  the  races  but 
he  has  gone."  ,  ^  «« 

/•Ah!  Guy  Earlscourt!  Do  you  know  I  have  never  met 
him  yet  ?  and  people  speak  of  him  as  though  he  were  the  mao 
in  the  Iron  Mask  or  Guy  Kawkes,  or  anything  else  dreadfiU 
Mrs.  Galbraith  calls  him  ♦  a  detem.ental,'  whatever  that  may  be. 
Pray,  what  has  that  unhappy  young  man  done  ?  " 

"Nothing  to  any  one  save  himself  "You  have  heard  of  the 
road  to  ruin  r  suppose  ?  Well,  he  has  been  going  at  a  gallon 
alor^  that  highway  for  the  last  three  years.  The  end  must 
come  very  sopn  now.  If  his  old  grand-aunt  does  not  die,  and 
leave  iMiu  her  money,  he  must,  in  a  few  months  at  the  most 
■end  in  his  papers  to  sell  and  fly  the  country.  He  is  involved 
fceyond  redemptum.  Mrs.  Galbraith  is  quite  right ;  in  a  mar 
nageable  point  of  view  he  is  a  detcnnental." 

••  Poor  fellow,"  PauUna  said,  her  eyes  softening.  «•  1  «» 
sorry  I  used  to  hke  him  very  much.  He  was  /#  hand 
lome."  ^ 

"And  is  stilL  I  wonder  lii^  handsome  face  ha«  not  wc  o  hin 
an  heu-r.ss  long  ago.  It  would,  1  think,  if  he  tried,  bat  he  sceay 
tQ  have  no  time."  , 

,^  hejtfLruined.  as  you  «jty.  how  doe«  he  live  ?g 


"  By  a  well-made  bttting-bi'^ok,  by  a  mn'oTfJck  at  tank,  bv 
UeverlywntteD  magazue  aruclea     Once  or  twice  his  aunt  hai 


X 


Ij^ld^^l      iM 


*  ^A  ^ 


^■w^-  -f^^' 


^ 


fAVUNA. 


pid  hit  dftbt»-he  teUa  me  ihe  has  refiued  tc  do  it  anhi 
Hehas  ^ne  across  to  Germany  fo^  the  autumn  races  " 

They  had  reached  the  house  now,  and  Rosanna  was  waitini 
wnously  m  the  doorway.  Miss  Lisl?  bade  him  good-ni»hL 
«nd  Allan  Fane  strolled  homeward  through  the  sharp  Ociobw 
Biglit  thmkmg— well,  not  of  his  wife. 

&r  Vane  Charteris  came  down  for  his  ward  at  the  expiratioi 
•r  the  w«ek,  and  Paulina  went  with  him  very  willingly.  It  wa* 
pleasant  to  see  her  old  friends,  no  doubt,  but  life  in  Duke  Ma 
•on's  house  seemed  hopefifesl^duU  to  her  now.  Is  there  evei 
any  gomg  back  in  this  world  ?  Had  she  never  left  it  she  would 
.  hav-  grown  up  Acre  happy  and  content;  now  she  could  no 
more  have  taken  up  the  old  life  than  she  could  have  wept 
bummg  tears  over  the  sorrpws  of  Amanda  Fitzallan, 

On  the  night  of  her  return  she  went  to  see  Ristori  in  "Mary 

Stuart."     The  hoUse  was  full,  the  actress  magnificent,  and  Misa 

Usie,  m  pale,  flowing  silks  and     saris,  looking   charmingly^ 

Iwo  or  three  of  her  admirers  were  in  the  box  ;  and  wheii  the 

V»t  act  was  nearly  over  there  entered  Lord  Montalien.     His 

^es  'if  as  thev  fell  on  H^r  hers  gave  miu  the  briefest,  coldest 

X)Sh,ole  g*aWce.     She  did  not  like  Lord  Montalien.     The  girl's 

perceptive  faculties  were  very  keen.     She  knew  him  to  be  false 

•!!<?  crucL  smooth  and  deceitful     The  expression  of  his  mouth 

cvo.csd  her,  the  hard,  cold  gUtter  of  his  eyes  made  her  shrink  ' 

hI  J'^P'^.J®"  '»""<'  *^  yo««^  friends  at  Speckhaven  quite 
■irrll,    he  said  to  her  as  the  curtain  went  down. 

"Quite,"  she  answered,  bnefly.     «>A11  who  remain." 

"Ah  I  you  allude,  of  course — " 

^  I  allude,  of  course,  to  ro/^dearest  friend,  Alice  iVarren.  I 
*uW  /ou  when  1  went  to  Sjieckhaven  1  should  peiictrate  th« 
myster>  of  her  flight,  and— I  have  failed." 

There  nas  a  satisfied  imile  just  perceptible  about  his  mtwtfa 
-^one  in  an  ii^stant 

•*  1  fe»ed  you  would.     Her  father  could  tell  yon  nothing."      ' 
Nothing   that   you  hid  not   akrady  told  me— that  yoia 
Mother  travelled  with  her  up  to  town." 

•'  Then  Guy  is  the  man.  Are  you  satisied  now  that  mr  nu. 
pwoniaie  right?"  ^  i     yww 

^  Would  you  like  me  to  teU  you  whlxn  I  do  iiupect,  i^ 
**  Undoobtedly.;' 


aMbcied  at  him—ftOl,  bright,  danntleidy.  and 


m. 


M^ 


VV 


-^:'..;, 


PAOLItfA. 


^ 


'♦Mu»  Later 

"  My  lord,  you.  brother  Guy  was  nevtr  the  nuui  Alice  tdl 
»ome  to  iPAiry.     She  never  cared  for  your  brother— $h«  did 
lor  yon.     Guy  may  have  travelled  up  with  her  to  London— hi 
ulnowledges  it,  indeed,  but  he  had  no  part  in  her  flight     H< 
irent  to  Mr.  Warren's  house,  and  told  him  so,  and  the  old  mac 
believes  him.     He  tells,  frankly  enough  his  share  in  the  busi 
ness.     He  met  her  at  the  railway  station,  he  travcllet^  up  with 
her  in  the  same,  carriage,  and  at  her  request  he  drove  with  hei 
to  her  destination.     That  destination  he  refuses  to  tell— she 
bound  him  by  promise  herself  not  to  do  so  ;  and  Mathdw 
Warren  does  not  urge  him  to  revealA.     He  is  bitterly;  cruell) 
angry— he  never  Wishes  to  hear  hername— tf  she  came  to  his 
door  a  wedded  wife  he  would  not  take  her  in.     He  will  nevei 
forgive  her— he  will  rjot  lift  a  finger  to  seek  her.     But  I  wUll ' 
—the  blue  eyes  flashing—"'  I  shall  find  her,  and  that  before 
long ! " 

"  May  I  ask  what  you  mean  to  do  }" 

•I  shall  advertise-4l  shall  employ  the  best  detectives  in 
L.ondon — I  will  move  heaven  and  earth  to  find  her  !  " 

"And  when  she  is  found,  will  she  thank  you,  do  you  thitik, 
tor  thus  forcing  her  from  the  privacy  she  seems  to  desire  ?  " 

"She  will  forgive  me— we  loved  each  other.     Lord  Monta- 
ien,  will  yo^  tell  me  the  truth,  will  you  acknowledge  you  know 
\ where  she  is?" 

"  Miss  Lisle,  fi:om  any  otl'.er  lips  the  question  would  be  an 
suit     I  know  nothing  of  Alice  Warren.     Wherever  she  is, 
ever's  wife  she  may  be,  sh»«  is  not  mine.    Will  you  not  lie- 
heve  me,  when  I  pledge  you  my  honor,  1  speak  the  truth  ?  " 

She  turned  from  him,  and  back  to  the  stage,  as  the  cortait 
went  up  on  the  next  scene.  Her  face  was  set  with  an  expiei 
•ion  wgm  to  every  one  who  saw  her.  ^ 

•*«  1  shall  never  rest  until  1  know  the  truth ;  J  will  nevei  de 
list  iintil  I  discover  this  secret     I  shall  find  Alice  Warrco  il 
ihe  be  in  Enjgland^  and  the  man  who  pronuaed  to 
Ms  wifel" 


'1 


,^, 


**s  -fom  /  £«a,  jj^j,  ^o^  ^,.  ^,^  ^  ^^^ 


■.«^  •  t'K' 


"awd  now  I 


CHAPTER  IV. 

"VK,   AHD   NOW  Uy  UFt  I|   DONII  f" 


T  was  the  afternooD  of  th^  first  of  November 

,  ra.n.  that^'et  a:S  chS  ^  to  ^1"""*^  ^''^ 

It  was  aJioiit  lour  o'clock  InVi  .i       i     u      ^^"^  O'afow. 

At  the  window  If  thettg  h^^^^^^^^^^  «^<J  fog 

a  woman  sat  lookinc  out  Vr»ht  u^.^^''^^*  Gardens, 

dark,  drift^hg  013  a"  the  ceLT''"^^^  ^i^^^^' '  «  ^hr 
against  the  Sass    m  'thl  k?     ^^^^^j^^s  ram,   beating  heavik 

*t  j:h"n,"or"  ov':  o^Ss'^eS;?^?*  rr  ^p^-^' 

home  and  friends,  and  alreX  the^H  h  "i"*  '^^  ^  ^^'^  ^'^"^ 
hatural  ending  of  all -«urh!!;«  ."'^^/V*^  M  come.     It  was  the 
^l    Mad^^'^^*'^JS^>^.how.w^ 

iZiety.  weariness, l^st^^  *^'^"«  P^^'°"  ^°'  a"othe, 

lorltTfoldlsT^  IS^S'Cr'^  ^''^'''•i;'  ^°'^"  -'^ 

She  had  sat  for  hou^  ^  she  «  n^  ^  "^J'O''.  and-lost ' 
in  h«  lap.  her  hagg^d  e^ '^^fn  "  /k*"*"'  *T^*  '>^"K  »>^avuy 
The  ^m  was  «  He  Jam  tt  ?  •  ^"''^^y'  '-o^don  sk/ 
iodgi%  -ever  to  bi  A  fiJe^ul^'?  "t.  "^"'^^  "^^  '^°'^d«' 
fitU^^enWtable  stood  a  glasH.ti  Jth  ^'T  *"V"  ^« 
,    i-«e8.    Their  fragrance  fille,rM^l,  T^   ''*'"°'^  ^"d   P«nk 

i"«  of  the  Bunt^r^^^^,^'^^^^  «'-<^etness  Lreath 

T^e  netot  church  dock  sL^X^u  ^  '°''  '^'^^  '^»  ^»^ing 
Je  he^d  it,  she  ""oved  restL   ^^^^  P"^  i^"'-     Ap 

U  iiitense  pab  crossed  her  fe^f  "^   "^i  ^  ""^'='  ^-^^^ «  »P*« 

.  « He  should  Iiave  been  here  an  hoar  Lm  "  a-  -  •  i  • 
"rf  frightened  whisper,     "WiUhen^*^*    f«  »aid,  in  *  aon 
nevei  cow  again  ?^'         «^^  he  not  a «ie  after  all?    Will  be 


.■fc, 


-XT 


"'"'^t^^W*'^' 


"X- 


•h^^^i  LtVR,  AND  MOW  MY  LIFE  IS  DONM*"    245 

Sll*t2  ^i"'l"*/'*'u^?^  crj-ing  until  the^j  were  no  mora 
to  *iows  end  she  beheld  the  natural  result,  dim,  sunket 
^ff  *"****"*"<*  swollen  face,  it  is  not  given  to  ali,  alait  I  to 
<fter^  iilem  pearly  tears,  such  ta  you  read  of  my  Lady  Rowenr 
iheuJing  .n  her  silken  boudoir.  ^  '^^^ 

J.-W  "ct!"*!  7T  ***!:  ^"'■»'  ^^^  «y"  »"<*  »>««'*  ach«^ 

Jltte.    She  had  dressec"  herself  in  her  one  best  dress-ooa 
•  ui  u   *°^  blue  and  white  that  "Frank"  had  once  "sai* 
•e  Uked,  but  it  hung  .oose  from  her  shrunken  figure  row. 

Beiuty.  and  yoa rj.,  and  brightness  had  all  gone.  She  slinink 
•imy,  almost  m  liorror,  ffoiu  the  sight  of  her  own  paUid  face 
her  hollowed,  dulled  eyes  I  ^^ 

•n  t^^y^.  "*^  *®  P*^*'^  ™y  pretty  looks  I "  she  said.    "  Wh* 
will  he  think  of  me  now?" 

She  felt,  withtmt  being  able  to  think  very  deeply,  on  that  01 
any  other  SMbject,  that  her  pretty  looks  were  the  only  links  that 
bound  hiin  to  her.  And  her  face  was  faded,  her  beauty  gone 
in  seven  weeks  I  She  was  not  the  sort  of  woman  to  swerve 
PTr  .  *u"'*'^*^*  P*^  *^^  impunity ;  but  if  her  lover  had  been, 
fcilhful  she  might  at  least  have  forgotten  in  the  bliss  of  that 
"  week  ''**  °°'  ^^**^--*»e  had  wearied  of  he~r  in  two  brief 

Her  pretty  face  and  her  tender  heart  were  all  the  gifts  she 
Had— good.and  pleasant  gifts,  but  not  likely  to  long  enchain  a 
man  of  Lord  Monulien's  stamp.  She  was  not  cleve;— she 
could  not  talk  to  him,  could  not  amuse  him,  and  he  yawned  ir 
jer  face  three  days  after  that  ceremony  in  the  Church  of  St 
Cthelfnda. 

Already  Ae  fatal  speU  of  a  fresher  beauty  had  captivated  him 
--tfie  friend  she  loved  best  on  earth  ;  the  friend  who  best  loured 
fcer  bad  taken  him  from  her  I  The  sparkling  beauty,  the  saucy, 
lelf  willed,  outspoken,  graceful  audacity  of  Paulina  Lisle  lielj 
liordMontahen  enthralled.  \  *?  « 

It  WM  ten  days  since  he  had  been  near  Gilbert's  Gardens 

len  endless,  dreary  days.  She  had  nothing  to  do,  nothing  to 
<ead,  not  a  soul  to-speak  to,  only  her  own  miserable,  never- 
dying  iiuspicions  for  company.  Until  yesterday,  w\ien  a  friendly 
fcce  and  kindly  eyes  from  home  had  looked  upon  her,  and  tho*- 
roses  fresh  from  Speckhaven  had  brought  a  breath  -»f  coimtry 
.^eetnest  tocher  dingyjooat.    She  had  written  Uataigh'. 4  ibq— 


oespetaiion  to  her  husband ;  and  now  as  the  nutw  a^tetaooa 
•ore  OQ  sly;  waited,,  his  coming.  • 

As  ili«  turned  fron  the  glaM^  the  rapid  roO  d  wbeeb  cai^ 


'SSfts^ 


"f 


-    -  ■■      \\  ■   / 

r«Jo„i  Iter  ^e  Arhr„™lk.      S*'"'?, *"'''* '■'^ 
**  <looi  .„  ^.M„.     S«  C w  rtia.  im~  Mrs.  Howe  *«,«  i 
•«  almost  as  .lad  to  h«  J?.  7   ■     ""P«nous  knock  ma  «, 

better  than  he  ouRht  to  b-  aL         7u  ^^J'?*  *"**  *  "o»e.  -^  no 
•nd  a-going  all  that  linL  Ini  i  ^*'^''  *"^  ^e  a-crvoina 

4-tt'''£rrT±g?:L'dS-'an  »"  — ■•. 

-«rk  now,  and  the  tall  fonn  of  "^r  i.       '"  ';'"*'>  ''""''ij 
—  u.to  his^mV  '^^         ''  ""'  "'  •"  '"Wte****.  flung  hefi- 

zr^'  forbid  you  evi  to^  ^.rv°cj:iv„^;,„3^ 

He  turned  the  key  in  th»  /»«^  u      l'/  '  I  - 

kerencitcling  ann,  Cg^LlTintot:**  ""«^''  ''«  '^^''■ 

JJ^^gLrr  '-^"■^  '^'^rJfd7.;^k^-^"£-^,^ti,^ 

4^S;rtee''n"'s.:;,^,-.^:j^  '^;i^i.g.wa,  Ae  , 


;'  vr 


'vj  **>■ 


JK 


■■«*<;■ 


,--!. 


v| 


'■•t'  Frp^ 


JodI— oh, 
[e  sprang 

came  I 

rv  wedr 


a5< 


I.3w!T°'^  '"I**  ****"'* '    '''<^*"  and  scenes,  repioach« 

«e  seized  tne  poV<5r,  and  irave  thr  fir#i  ■>  «;«'^ i-       t» 

l^d^hn^  hi.  felf  hat  'on  thf*fl^*L'lSer„randt  uS.' 
ij^low  face  was  set  in  ar.  angry  scowl.   He  looked  a  very  d  ffer^ 

•retthe  cha-r  ^^^hna  Lisle  at   the  theatre  onljr  the  ni^"! 
«M»iN|om   the  ardent  lover  who  liad  woo«d 
""  Uown^unong  the  clover-fields  and  fir 


by  a  great  effort,  and  coming  timiJl) 


im 
me, 


)^oie — verv 
Alice  Warren 
trees  of  M<\n 
She  swallo 
«ver,  knelt  dg 

"Don't  be  I^Won  me,  Frank,"  she  pleaded-  "l'l«n'. 
mean  to  reproach>u  ;  but  1  am  si  much  al^e  and  I  t^J 
nothing  tD  do,  and  no  one. to  speak  t&  and  I  aef\h?„i,-  c 
home,  and  get  low-spirited.  Wotft  yd^  teU  '  «Sa.?k  ^1"*  ''^ 
•a/e  stayed  away  so  long  ?  -  ^       '         ^    '*^'  ^^"f  y^'^ 

He  looked  at  her  with  hard,  cniel  ^yes. 

Bro^5 '  "'*'  ^  ^"''  ^""^  '^'^  °^  ^°"^8 '   Wm  that  do,  Mra 


don't  think  i  should  ever  have  give 


:^«|fthe  trouble  of  coming 
De«ff  doing  stoce  1  saw  you 


op  ipown.     Pray,  what  have  you 
.•.UaJ^ou"'"'*^*^'^^^^  "Only 

"  Frank,  you  ask  thfit  question  ?" 

«U  l^'dl  mlTrlj^r'^r  *  '*^"'^'     ^"d  «  t»^«  fi«t  place, 
Sli.  rlJ       r  ''°':  y^"  discovered  my  address  at  aU  ?"  ^^ 


She  iheU  no  tears  now  , 
fmejTMm*^  steadily 


she  felt  cdld  &«  death,  and  her  ihriok 


at  last. 


'M' 


JW 


\ 


'    .'S- 


/■ 


■a». 


<.». 


'^■\   p 


sf )   '^trow  I  uvB,  Afn>  sow  my  upr  ts  Domi* 

rhU  ^*?  **  "^*'*  ^V""*  ^°'  y**"*  "y  lord-io  go  to  /ou,  If) 
cno8<*.     1  am  your  wife  I "  o     "  /"»*»  "  ' 

_  He  HstrnedVith  a  smile,  his  head  lying  .gainst  the  back  ot 
the  chau-a  smOe  of  insufferable  insolence 

"My  wife  J  "  he  reixjaied.     "  Well  vcs.  of  rnnro.  ««  ^:.< 
to  the  Church  of  St  kthelfrida  togetheT  ^u^Ty^l*  ^ 
^t  me  give  one  piece  of  adv,ce-.iSn't  yc  a  presZe  7n  i^  b 
Itfe  ceremony.     Don't  you  write  to  me  agiin,  and  don't  /i^ 
me  UBt.1  i  ^ve  you  leave.     Perhaps  you  Id  nox  SL  my  nue. 

"  My  brother  I  " 

fell  upon  the  roses  on  the  t,bk.     He  sprang  to  his  fe;t     ^ 
My  brother  has  been  her<» . "  he  cried. 
"  H«  has." 

h.f*lf  ^^'^'T'^  '?•"'  q^i'^tly      Her  heart  felt  cold  and  still  in 

"^^cn^rr^e'^s-^tr  "^^  ^"'^^^"  «' ^"^^-^  »^- -^ 

his"rn,Tfi  *"  ""''"'^  **^VF»='Pi"«  her  wrist  iintil  the  marks  of 
his  cruel  fingers  remained-his  fc.cc  white  to  the  very  lins.  L 
•»as  his  way  when  really  moved  ^    ^ 

"  ^nd  you  dared  do  it  I     You  dved,  after  all  I  said,  brina 
him  here!     Guy,  of  all  men  I     You  dared  teU  him-"  * 

hurt  me  I"  °'*"'^'     ^^  »°'«1. '^^  ^ou  let  me  go  ?     You 

ligh'llnt^ltL't';^'^"*  "^  **  "•'  '^'^ '  ^^'^°- 

"How  came  he  here?    You  must  havn  bsoueht  him  or  he 

rflL*!.?  Tvf  "^i  '"%?'*'  '^"*  "^'^^     Vo"  reme^nber  he  tm  r 
eUed  up  with  me  from  S|^eckhaven.     He  was  v«vy  kind     he  Wm 

aU«ysku,d     I  don't  know  whether  he  suspect  o:;e^'et^ 
^^}  know  he  adv,se4  me  to  go  back  while  there  wa.  y« 

^I  wish  to  God  you  had  taken  nit  advice  I  " 

mm  JSt  *"»7ered.  sti"  very  quietly,  "it  it  a  pity.     Bn* 

we  won  t  tpealt  of  thaL  gjnfg  \*  t'q  rafk...  '..■-  •      ..   "  "       ^* 

^  1^.       **^  'i'8.'''  ''*^*^°  «rereached*Undo,.;  it  ^J^ 
ft?  i^jMge^to  DM  ;^  1  wa.  afraki :  and  I  •tk.d  luM  ti  c«^^^ 


r^Li^'^laiWW./        i. 


•'tfOW  J  LIVE,  AND  NOVr  MY  UFR  IS  DONMi" 


m 


.! 


The  pressure  tigl  tened  oo  her  wrist  again  ;  he 
breath  for  a  moment  hard 

"  You  did  I  ^  After  all  your  promises—  after  all  I  told  yoa— 
you  brought  him  here ! " 

"I  brought  him  here;  but  I  told||m  nothing,  and  1  nevtt 
'«id  eyes  on  him  since  until  yesterday." 

**  He  was  here  yesterday  ?  " 

"  He  was.  Frank,  do  you  know  thty  think  at  ttotnt.  1  fle4 
jrith  him— that — that  1  am — not  a  wife." 

"  Yes ;  1  happen  to  be  quite  aware  of  that  fact ;  and  what  is 
aiore  1  mean  they  shalJ  contmue  to  think  so.  Hear  me  out,  i| 
you  p.sase,  and  don't  internipL  Do  you  suppose  I  am  going 
to  ruin  my  prospects  by  acknowledging  my  marriage  with  you? 
A  pretty  story,  forsooth,  for  Belgravia,  that  Lord  Montalien  has 
married  his  bailiff's  daughter  ! " 

"  lx>rd  Montalien  should  have  thought  of  that  seven  weeks 
ago." 

"  I  know  it  No  need  for  you  to  remind  me  what  a  fool  I 
have  been.  And  what  brought  my  precious  younger  brother 
here  yesterday  ?  "    , 

"  Friendship,     Only  that.     Mr.  Guy  was  always  the  kindest 

of  friends,  the  noWcst  of  gentlemen.     He  thought  of  me he 

brought  me» those  flowers  from  Montalien,"  her  eyes  lighting, 
"  because  he  fancied  they  would  remind  me  of  honje." 

The  nobleman  seized  the  roses  and  flung  them  into  the  fu-e. 
The  girl  started  forward  with  a  cry ;  if  he  had  struck  her  he 
would  hardly  have  dorie  a  more  brutal  thing. 

"  Silence !  "  he  said,  with  an  oath.  "  (^o  on  I  What  brought 
him  here  ?     Did  you  dase  to  tell  him  that  1 — " 

"  \  told  him  not  In  ng— nothing,  God  help  me  I  I  have  kept 
four  secret.  Lord  Montalien,  at  the  price  of  my  own  good 
name.  1  have  broken  my  mother's  heart,  bowed  n«y  father's 
kead  in  sorrow  and  shame,  giving  up  the  home  where  I  wa« 
bappy,  the  triends  who  cared  for  me,  for  you ;  and  this — this  it 
my  rewati" 

Sae  laid  her  ann^upon  the  mantel,  and  bowed  her  &ce  upon 
it  But  in  the  dark  tjcart  of  the  nran  beside  her  there  was 
tdther  pity  nor  remorse 

"  Will  you  swear  to  me  my  bractier  knows  nothing— that  yoo 
=ikftve  faot  told  hifl^? " 


**I  hKve  not  told  him,"  she. reiterated,  aod  did  not  lift  bei 
uhen  face  as  she  made  the  reply. 
.  H9  tuiDc^  and  began  pacmg  to  and  fro  ap  ud  <iv«rp  tfMt 


■) 


/ 


254    **»OW  I  LIVE,  AVD  NOW  JlfV  UFR  IS  DO/fS,  *' 

S^J  .  *  ^  !  °"^  f  '^"^  •'°""'n'  even,  and  to  do  that,  was 
2h  Jk°  ^'"'^  ^'''  '°  ^"P*^^  ^"^  desperation  ?  He  must  Z^i 
^  a2f  ^77^'  ""'  i*'"  ''"^  '"^^^^^^^'^  ^hing  to  be  done  ;  a^i^ 

I^f  v«^^«  L*"'*  '"*^'     ^^'^  ^"'^  t°  t«"  her  the  truth  ha<} 

12/?.-'"''^^^  '""''  ^'  "^  *»^her,  and  at  once  ;  and  l^ 
a«»  her«j  wou  d  do  more  *,an  harshness  or  recrinunition  lU 
^e  over  and  laid  his  hand  upon  her  shoulder. 

forgive  me,  Alice,"  he  said,  "  and  forget  my  unkind  wordi 
Vou  know,  as  well  as  J  do.  that  I  love  you  as  dearly  a,  e  .^r 

^rS    ?if^-     ^  *'''''*'  *  thousand  things  to  worry  add  annoy 
t»e  of  which  you  cannot  dream  ;  and  it  S^^  startle  meYo  know 
Guv  wa.  here.     J  am  sorry  1  destroyed  your  flowers. firaJ 
send  you  a  handsome  bouquet  to-morrow.     Come,    ook  ap 
And  say  we  are  friends  agam."  '  ^ 

to  ^t  iii'^"^  ^?^*1  ''°^'y  *"^  '^"^^^^  *»  him.     EvenVe,  bad 
I^s^irTtL^fh:^^^^^^  ^^^^  "^^^^^  4->«^ 

be;t^:ri:n7u;Tid^''''^'  ^°"  '^^^  ^^^"^  '  ^\ 

Her  voice  was  broken  and  low,  no  tinge  of  color  came  to  he^ 
wiMc  face  as  he  stooped  and  kissed  her 

*  .Me's!;rhvi5*ag\t'"'  ^°'"^'^"  *^^^  "'-'  ^*»  -^  hope 

J^^  "  T  ""^  '''''*'  ^''"  '     ^"^  "»^'  to  P^«^vent  a  rep 
•M?e?'  '^'"''  ^°"  """''  '~^'  this  lodging  at  once."     ^ 

wiu'S;  r.?K*r"'"^  '  wm  engage  another,  and  to-morrow  1 
evening  you  will  be  quite  ready  to  go  ?  " 

^*And  as  it  can't  be  any  particular  pleasant  ui  me  to  keei 

3S.Z  ^'^^J  J^-"  °»«  »^"do"  lodgir^g  to  anothe,,  for  fS 

^«f  out  o?'Fn  f  t/°"  f  y. '°  ^^''^S  ^^^  «•  *he  coilntrj',  o» 
e^  out  of  England  for  a  little      Ydu  would  be  bette,  ind  bap. 

JnmV  ;r.      ''*'•  "^"^  "*,  "**'^  *°  a\cciSntry  life,  and  1  would 
oome  to  see  you  just  as  often.     What\do  you  My  ?  " 


"  I  have  nothiag  to  say, 
J^That  i»  ■ettleX  ihen.^ 


\— —     J  ■**■»•    wmmw    • 

I  will  do  ^hatevef  fou  plcMfc" 


•«iU  ^be^pler  than  to  .end  lu»  out  of  the  <«M»tiy  du^ 


I.  ,    r'\    '.Si. 


*»SOW  I  LIVE,  A/TD  NOW  MY  LTTR  IS  DOSBi*"    jry 

"To-roorraw,  you  will  leave  here,  amcWilmn  the  we^k  joq 
■rtali  go  to  some  pleasant  country  home,  either  m  or  oat  al 
England,  w^re  you  will  remaintintil  it  is  in  my  jwwer  to  pro- 
claim you  tS*the  world  as  my  wife.     You  hear.  Mce  ?" 

"  1  hear,"  sh;  answered,  wearily.  "  Frank  ! "  she  looked  tt» 
at  hini  suddenly,  "is  it  true  that  Paulina  Lisle  is  in  London? 

"Guy  told  you  thit  among  his  other  news,  I  supfxiM?  ' 

*•  I  le  did  He  told  me,  too,  that  you  were  her  lover,  or  thai 
lepcrt  said  so."  * 

"  He  told  you  a  lie  J  I  visit  at  the  house  of  Sir  Vane  Chai 
teris,  and  I  see  Miss  Lisle,  of  course."  He  spoke  carelesvlj 
enough,  biitiin  his  heart  he  recorded  a  vow  to  add  this"  to  the 
tong  list  of  hatred  he  already  owed  his  younger  brother.  ''I 
meant  to  speak  to  you  of  her.  Why  did  yoO  write  and  tell  her 
of  your  elojHftiHent  and  intended  marriage  ?  After  all  niy  in 
iunctions  of  secijBfy  "^d  your  promises.  Was  it  well  done, 
Mice?" 

♦•  I  meant  no  harm.     I  did  not  tell  her  who  I  wa«  going  to 

marry." 

"  But  you  knew  she  would  suspect.  You  knew  she  was 
aware  how  greatly  I  ajways  admired  you  ;  but  I  overlook  it, 
Alice — that  and  all  the  rest— and  look  forward  to  the  day  when 
(  can  proclaim  yoif  to  the  world  as  my  lawful  wife.  And  now, 
Carewell.  Tomorrow  atftemoon,  at  this  tmie,  1  wUl  uisit  you  at 
.  ^our  new  lodging."         '  r 

His  lips  touched  her  forehpad  in  another  traitor  kiss,  and 
then  the  door  opened  and  oiibsed.  and  he  was  gone.  (k>ne  I 
And  Alice,  sitting  there  alone  before  the  hre,  knew  her  fate- 
knew  in  her  heart  thftt  he  lied  to  her— that  he  would  never  pro- 
claim her  a«  his  wife — that  hoperwas  at  an  en<i,  that  her  life 
was  done.  She  touched  no  food,  she  had  no  sleep  that  night 
She  lay  listening  to  the  beating  rainj  to  the  complaining  wu>d, 
to  the  hours  as  they  tollctl,  in  a^rt  of  dull  stupor  of  misery, 
ihe  hid  loved  hiin,  she  loved  him  still,  and  this  was  the  end. 
The  cab  came  early  next  morning  for  "  Mrs.  Brown*" 
Before  leaving  the  previous  day  his  lordship  had  paid  tb« 
kndiady,  and  told  her  of  her  lodger's  departure.  And  now, 
b  the  dark  November  morning,  she  watched  her  drive  awa« 
almost  with  regret. 


"'**®~*®**'*w  "»*  dt'ralh  itself  as  she  bade  me  guoci-bT^ 
Howe  said  afterward  ;  "  it  wtnt  ro  my  heart  only  to  see  ben' 

The  new  lodging    o  which  the  cabman  drove  her  was  in  one 
pf  Uie  obacurc  streeu  leading  from  the  Straod  to  the  riv«r<^ 


w' 


1* 


'M^xii 


iiSiui-. 


^  «ik« 


v»^.. 


F. 


-  ■> 


m. 


itK 


/ 


tS6    ""O'^  t  tlrKAfD  StLt^  UFM  IS  DOM,. 

■  A,  J  .1        c    .      ',  *"  ""«^  '"  '•"'  "O'W  lo  care ? " 

™.^;-^u,^..cp  up  .„  hi.  r«.j.^  lint  r^:;^:. 

,  V^  ,!*v»  hg  hat  a  confession  to  Hwik<;  abew  i 


Tidvk*  &«•-"«-■■''  ■  'T'""*'"^  w»  "»*•««  about  8cmre^v«y«SS 
«S  JlirrT^n^T^'  '"'^  about  agieat  crime  he  h.lpedij SS^ 
«t  Mvlir  iwcnty  yew  »^.    He  om't  Jie.  he  ^vm^ 


\ 


But  "h« 

how  UDHt, 

y  from  (he 

seless  pale 
her  hjiiji} 
foggy  daj 

^lontalirn 

e  scent  oS 

trees,  tht 

softly  and 

her  eyes 

:e,  she  fell 

oar  of  the 

i  ope'jing 
drea/ned, 

g  Of  pity 

ted.     He 

crtintry 

I  ROW  but 

ler,  the/'e 
let!  face, 

jrbing  cf 
>t  a  inu- 
»j-d,  and 
There 
T,  and  I 
I  gsnt'e 
nearest 

[htily  in 
'as  her 
({hi  be, 


4»  CO|» 


■  ~^.  t-' 


'  hM  confessed  it.     Maybe  if.  <mlT  his  ravii.,  bat  he  eav.  thfl 
Ud/8  name  was  Miss  Olim  Lynditk."  ' 

"Tft,** nr*"*"".  ^^v\ '°""*^'  *"^*^  interested  at  onop. 
Miss   Ohvia  Lyndiih,"  he  mu'tered.     "  l^v  Chart«4al 
.  Now  what  the  deuce  does  this  mean  ?     Lead  ilTw^y'^^ 
.jroman ;  111  go  up,  and  hear  *hat  your  third. wLoVuLS^ 

•  *i?*  fo'^^cd  her 'up  the  dark,  winding  stairs,  and  iuto  Ok 
2frS,*l!'r  ''^"''  ''^'«^^*^'  °*  wretchcd%mck^-S^  a  gauuj 
emaciated  fonn  was  stretched.  There  was  no  ftre  in  the  Utda 
~cm  and  the  sickly  foggy  daylight  hardly Jou^dk.^^;yU^ougb 
the  bhirred,  dirty  glass  of  its  one  window.  ^         ^ 

Porter  "*the  t,'"l?'i^'"''f'"^"v"  *^^*  "^^ '^"  stay  with  you. 
Porter,    the  landlady  said  soothmgly.     "  Now  do  keep  qdet 
bke  a  good  soul,  and  HI  run  rounj  for  Mr.  Speannan^  ^^  ^- 
3he  placed  a  chair  by  the'  bedside,  and  wi  hurryine  awav 

^r  st n"f  ™'"  ^""'  ^""^^  °^  »^-  ^'^-^  andT;fcd*:?S 

it  L!!i**'^  ?*""  *"^  '"''  *"^  P'^P^^'"'  ^"-  Young.     He  must  write 
It  dpwn  and  give  it  to  her  if  she  be  alive.     1  can't  die^  I  <^'t 
with  the  story  untold.     I'm  sorry  I  ever  did  i^  I  ^^e'herT* 
«>  snh  and  whae;  oh,  Lord  I  s^  still  and  white-sTeeuin/rnd 

.h^^.  .H       K*^^'''^'"*"'  *"<<  you'U  find  her,  and  give  it  to  her  S 
•he  8  alive.     Promise  me  that  ?  "  ' 

He  glared  up  in  Lord  Montalien's  face  with  hollow,  wild 

iJiV^°"'*  ''"°\?^  '^^o™  you're  talking,  my^l^feUow"  hi. 
lordship  answes^xoolly.     '^VVhois.A^"   y  g«pi  leUow,    his 


eves  werriT,!  r.>  K         J*%i'       *"*  '^nartens  ? "     His  hoU< 
^«  J  .1  of  bumin^^emess  as  he  asked  the  quesuon. 

^K^lT^^  ^^"^  ^^"^  °'  Si^  Vane  itoteria."  ^ 
"And  Lady  Charteris?"  'fr  ' 

"And  l^y  Charteris." 

^«  J.  she  alive?    TeU  me  that~is  Ladj  Ourteris  aliv,  «d 
^^ll^"^  Charteris  is  aUve  certainly,  but  not  quite  well     She 

Tll«  SU^k   nft«M   ^»«» 


I16V6S== 


I  know  it-I  know  in  awl  I  did  it  I    I  wish  1  fc*dSopped 


€l^ 


/ 


\,....3i^. 


V. 


■MVi 


4 

258    -JlfOM^/  LIVE,  AND  MOm 

dead  pHbre  I^^ver  cons^nt«|l !  ai 
fo(^  haunts  mf  hight  an^day^  Bi 
late  yet     Per&|p8  he's  ^mW"  ' 

"Who?"    ms-      ^%      ■ 

"  *'  Her  husbanit^hiin  ^W^  loved  so  deaj^^ 


*  You  rneao  Sir  Vane  CHaYt^rii 
;;^"  No/  no,  no  I  -  Shs?  hated  Ij^ 
i'heKreal  'tmsband-^ 
isle." 
H  Lisle  if  ^aljve  and 'well 


.PJ["i 


i«|, 


i^  iitoni  Jittered  a  cry — a  shro^  irbrdlesa  cry  of  de- 


.Jpod  t  thank  (Jod  !  then  it's  net,  too  late  I  wfaereii 
5^/^#U  tell  nie  that  ?     Not  in  'fiigland  ?  " 
bt  ii^il^ngland,  of  course,  since  h0V is  a  criminal  amena 

le  to  the  Ikw.  Out  in  Aiperica."  ;^% 
'  .^'He  is  no  criminal.  It  wa^  me  thaftl^  it — me !  And  Mr. 
fek)ffrey  l./ndith  paid  nie  for  doing  it.  ^.urish  my  right  hand 
ft'Vi  dro|)|>ed  off  when  1  lifted  it  against  hifc  !  But  I'll  tell  you 
fjl,  and  you'll  write  it  down,  and  Robert  Ltjjkle  will  corne  back, 
#id  perhaps  God  will  forgive  me.  Do  you  Ihink  He  wiU,  if  I 
CQQtess  all-  -all ! " 

"  Well—  Het-ns  hope  so,"  replied  his  lords^,  rather  out  of  his 
depth.     "  Who  are  you,  to  begin  with  ?  " 

He  drew  ^he  paper  toward  him,  took  up  the  jJen,  and  pre- 
pared to  write.  ,  He  was  full  of  curiosity  and  interest  What 
revelation  of  viflany  was  this  he  was  about  to  hear  ? 

"  I'm  Janres  Porter,  and  I  was  valet  to  Mr.  Geoffrey  Lyn- 
dith  twenty  years  ago.  Will  you  promise,  on  your  honor  as  a 
gentleman,  to  give  this  paper  you  are  going  *to  write  into  tJw 
iunds  of  Lady  Charteris,  and  no  other,  when  1  am  dead  }  " 

"I  promise.     Gdon,*' 

^e  sick  man  clendied  the  bedclothes,  and  began  at  oncci 
mth  feverish  rapidity  :    ' 

"1  told  you  I  was  Mr.  Gtfoflrey  Ljmdith's  valet  twenty  yean 
1^    If  8  cigher  on  five-and-twenty  since  I^^rst  entered  his  ser-  ^ 


noe,  and  a  very  good  place  it  was.  He 
to  have  his  6wn  way,  but  he  was  frei 
kind  enough  master.  Wh^n  I  had  b 
feur  )WJ||L  Robert  Lisle  came  as 

XgMM||l'l'i' "^l" — tn6  SICK 

b^oYeimb,  as  he  spoke      "At^ai 
«c  handaometl,  I  think,  I 


Intern  man,  he  liked 

s  money,  and't 

htm  well  upov 

hd  confipanipn  like. 

es  looked  dreamily- 


■'■■ 


e  young  qsati,  and 
'h«t«  were  a  gr«it 


.■#''■ 


^JjJ 


■♦^« 


^v 


lily 


^' 


^l^0W  i  MJTk,  AffB  HOW  MT  IWB  tS  AAWf  /•     jjj 

•.^T  f«naemetM  Mid  baronets,  and  lqrds»  nwd  to  vial  l.yiidiilh 
U-iut  at  S«ptemi/er  and  Chrtstman,  bat  there  wasn't  one, 
Mt^«»g  them,  lords  and  all,  looked  half  i^  lordly,  to  iqy  nimll, 
as  ne  did.  He  was  cleverer  han  mastev,  and  wrote  hu 
si/«<>d\e8  and  leaders  for  our  coanty"pa{»er,  arid  letters,  and  aI 
tiui.  •  Master  set  no  end  of  store  by  him»  Until  he  go.  to  lutf 
hiin  ;  and  to  them  he  hated,  he  was  the  very  devil  I 

"  Master's  niece  came  home  from  school:  imd  a  rare  beauQ 
she  was,  only  sixteen,  with  big  black  eyes  and  yellow  hair — the 
kind  <»f  beauty  you  don't  often  see.  She  .w«f  brought  home 
from  boarding-school  to  live  in  the  house  with  a  ypung  man  a« 
handsome  and  as  clever  as  this  Mr.  Lisle.^  And  we  in  the  ser 
vants'  hall  just  saw  how  it  would  be  from  the  first  But  mas^ 
ter — lauks,  sir,  it's  wonderful  how  blind  the  auiartest  people  be ' 
about  some  things  ;  these  sort  of  things  partic\ilaily— master  !.«• 
was  like  a  n^ole.  They  w;crc  a-courtmg  from  the  ftrst  day,  and 
he  couldn't  sre  what  wa«  «{Oing  oh  .under  hia  very  nose.  I 
used  to  watch  'em  in  the  pl|ea^ant  moonlight  nights  walking  up 
and  down  under  the  treet ;  and  time  and  wain  it  was  on 
the  top  of  my  tongue  ^.«|five  Mr.  Lyndith  a  hmt.  But  I  was 
••keeping  companr  with  a  yoon<|  woman — the  upjwr  house- 
maid  she  was,  andishe  wtialdo't  hear  teli  of  it  All  the  women 
B)  the  hpuse  were  half  in  love  with  Ihu  Robert  hisie ;  his  good 
looks,  and  his  gentlemanlike  ways,  and  his  pleasant  voice 
took  them  all  down  somehrnt.  'And,'  says  Lwcy,  'our  mas- 
ters old  en«jugl  and  big  tfiioogh  to  kx>k  a/ifcr  his  own  niece, 
vnd  :^s  not  fqf  playing  the  spy  uo  her  ycu  get  "vour  wages. 
/ie'Il  %nd  It  out  soon  enough.' 

••That  week  Miss  Olivia  went  to  Scotland  on  a  visit,  and 
.•6e  week  after— 1  think  it  was— Mr.  lisle  followed  her.  And 
Lacy  says  to  me  :  '  Mind,  James,  Miss  Olivu  and  >lr.  Lisle 
will  be  manned  in  Scotland  as  sure  as  I'm  talking  to  you.  And 
won't  master  be  tearing  mad,  when  he  finds  ^t  out  ?"  * 

"  You  ce«l  #>  t^a  Mr.  LijJe,  thou^  h«  looked  and  spoke, 
tndl'had^hrVdication  of  a  'cai  leadema^,  was  only  tb*^  too  o 
t  yeoman  farm -i. J,', 

'♦Well,  sir,  Lucy  WIS  rVbt— they  did  |et  married  in  Soil 

tanJ,  4n^  came  notae,  not  together,  but  rolioi|ing  each  otha 

'  veiy  soon.     Xnd^  to,  this  day  1  reuiera^^r  what  happy,  happy 

*cps  tbpse  ti^  had,  hpw  miss  dimceJ  about  the  hoese  u««^ 

inlTandiin  laugh  was  tM  preiO'-iSt,  i^eetest  inoMC  I 


r«inshir 


tver  heard.     A  id  Mr.  Lisle  duin't  say  much  or  laugh  oiud^ 
it  wuD't'kM  «•/  ;^W  MM^ichow,  he  looLisi  Uiies^  a^  oobtei 


,^A'      ♦ 


Vt,  h 


■i 


A\l 


a 


1  - ' 


a^ 


■if>yMw  t  uvjs,  .uri,  jfoir  „y  ^„^  ^^  ^^^^^ 
J^ve^'^^wWeMhW^C^f ^^^"'  ^^"  seemed  smiling 

/OKeJirdTe'„ti.he?slvl^°;^,e™daw3'o'^Kr*°-' 
-  W  else  in, the  liouse  l:ne/,^rfe«ly^  °"'  °'  ""^  ='«y 

ie''eve^'s^j?i"i;'Co?3  fc^Sr^rh^^'^  'r-." "  °'"  ="'-- 

his  niece  awav  from%Jff^i  T         -^.^  '"'^  =  ^^  J"^^  whisked 

sent  for  me  and  Tsked^f  iT\  f ,'    '''"^'^"'  ^"^  ^^'^^  he 
pounds?  ^'^  '^  ^  "^""^"^  ^'^^  ^°  earn  fiye  hundred 

of 'Lone"y?'S:d'rwamed\7  "^^^    l^^^  ^^^^^  ^-^ 

buti  cciv^h.  a^^^^^^  't"^'^^  ^^'■«'^«  that  oath  t.ll  now, 

untojd^         \  ^  ^  ^''''^  — ^  ^^^^^  ^'^  ^^'tJ'  ^^'7  wicked  stol^ 

goinj  ^.^ay  h.:m.eif'as  if   o^r  a  f  ^v  davs'^  L^^n^  '  '^ff '  ^"^ 
to-dr,:-S  S  tifce  .t'"''  """'^  ?'>■  »<'  «'^  ''°»''-=d  l«™nd3 

1  ■  '     * 


\ 


a^ 


■m 


y 


\ 


"L  I^, 


V 


^j 


••-re  M^  I  LIVE,  AND  NOW  MY  LIFE  I^ DONE P      26 1 

*'  |\  v:u,  sir— it's  a  bad  thing  lo  tell~l  did  it.  I  took  the  five 
hundred  pounds,  and  I  sewod  up  tha  money  and  jewe's  in  the 
TfOOTjyouna  jrentleman's  tfavelling-bag.  It  all  turned  out  as 
master  had  foreseen-he  got  th.-  letter,  he  packed  his  clothes.and 
started  for  London,  and  he  was  taken  .there  and  searched  and 
the  valuables  found.    '  ' 

'  "The  next  I  heard,  he  had  left  England.  I  rot  my  five  hun.3 
dred  pounds--my  wages  of  sin— and  Mcft  Mt"  Lyndith's  ser- 
vice, and  married  Lucy,  and  set  up  the  public-house.  Cut  I 
never  prospered.  Luck  went  a-anst  me  from  the  first.  The 
money  was  ill-gotten  ;  it  was  Liood-money— and  everythino- 
went  wrong.  ^  I  couldn't  forget  'vhat  I  had  done.  It  haunted 
me  as  if  I  had  committed  a  murder,  by  daj  ^nd  night.  I  took 
to  drmk  to  drown  thought,  but  I  couldn  t  drown  it.  I  knew  I 
had  made  two  innocent  people  miserable  for  life,  Ai^d  two 
years  after  our  marriage  Lucy  died;  and  then  I  gut  quite  des- 
perate, and  the  money  went,  and  went ;  and  at  last  I  was 
ruined  outright.  And  from  that  day  I  have  been  Bdriinken 
vagrant,  and  now  I'm  dying  here,  and  I  couldn't  die  with  it^n 
my  soul.     Have  you  got  it  all  down — all— a!l  ?"  | 

He  raised  himself  once  more  on  his  elbow,  looking^ 
hke  a  galvanized  corpse  than  a  Lving  being. 

"AH,"  replied  J^rd  Montalicn.  "Are  you  able  to  sign  th's 
paper  ?" 

"  I'll  try— give  me  the  pen." 

The  door  opened  on  the  word,  and  Mrs.  Young,  the  land- 
lady, entered  with  an  elderly  man,  a  clergyman. 

"  Just  in  time  .0  wii  ne-is  this  man's  signature,"  rempxked  his 
lordship  coolly.  "He  is  dyinj-,  he  says,''  addressing  the  clergy- 
man,  "  and  has  made  a  deposition  which  I  have  taken  down. 
Will  you  just  witness  his  signature  and  afTix  your^l^^- 

It  was.  done.  Lord  Montalien  folded  up  tlieli^and 
arose.  ^         r  r 

'♦  Your  ^'ishcs,  my  poor  fellow,  shall  be  carried' out  to  the 
letter.  ^  .le  lady  ior  whom  it  is  designed  is  known  to  me,  anj 
w.ll  receive  it  at  once.     Set  your  mind  at  rest  about  that." 

He  t,jitted  the  room,  the  precious  paper  in   the  breast. 

.cket  of  his  coat,  his  eyes  shining  with  a  green,  cat-like 


t 


^ ,      AtwJ-^  Paulina  Lisle  is  the  ddcr  daughter  of  Lady  OfBits- 
teri<*r  and  inherits  in  law  my  lady's  fortune  of  six  thousand  a 
year  in  addition  to  her  father's  fortune.    Yes,  yes  I  If  I  had 
never  made  the  re§plution  of  marrying  her. willing  or  unwiilina 


,5-^«~ 


>•■;;  ''. 


9^ 


lii  ■  ■  ■  *  ■  "^ 


,/./ 


f  *n»a;  >iw  /rtf jr  iff  jm3«  jgr  D4Wmi» 


M  nake  H  now.  Why,  ghe  will  be  one  of  the  ridui« 
lietre«*e»  in  the  United  fCingdom  I  Whether  you  like  u  or  do, 
fon  ih&U  be  "ray  wile,  my  peerless  Paulina  I " 
.  And  then  a  visiojU„jai^J||fons  him  of  Paulina  as  he  had  seen 
bar  last  iuf^t—0!0lfmmhjt  y,'^  pink  silk,  and  tulle  paffiiifi, 
•nd  dewy  roaerlfads  m  hcf  |[olden  hair— a  vinion  whose  very 
lecoUection  seemed  to  li(ht  op  the  dingy  lodging  .ious<«Ib 
Barton  Street,  Strand.  *" 

"  And  now  for  the  other,"  he  thought,  opAiing  Alice's  dooi 
—alas  I  poor  Alice  I  "What  an  inconceivable  ass  1  hkve 
ffiide  of  myself  about  thi«  milk-and-water,  insipid,  weeping  non- 
entity I  Bat  she  shall  be  diifx^sed  of  as  surely  and  s^Uel^  as 
Geoftey  Lyndith  disposed  of  Robert  Lisle," 

She  sat  shivering  before  the  smouldering  fiie  as  he  entered, 
pad  rose  up  without  a  word  as  he  approached  4  ( 

The  dull  daylight  waala»t  fading  now,  but  in  the^low^olT  th«, 
fire  he  could  s<se  tl^  dead  whitenew  of  her  fwre  ;  such  a  co&  ' 
trast  to  that  other  (iace— fresh,  smiling,  ro&e^Qpwned  f  i 

"  Awake,  Alice  ?  "  he  said,  kindly.     *•  It  is  two  hours  since  1 
-first  came,  and  you  were  asleep  on  the  lounge  yonder,  and  1 
^j^'lld  not   distivb    you.     1  have  been  ntting  since  with  a 
wetched  sick  man,  upstairs.^^ 

She  looked  and  liitened  in  pale  aouue.  Frank  Earlscour! 
■itting  two  hoiiu  with  a  sick  pau)ier  I  '% 

"  I  trust  il»«e|^you  iti  bettor  ftpuits  than  yesterday,  *  he  went 
OB.     "  How  do  you  hke  yot^juew  lodgings  ?" 
^  haflyot  thoi^fht  about  4t     They  are  very  well" 
^ffjff  splmless  voil*.  her  spiritless  attitude,  told  more  plainls 
<jhftn  words  the  story  of  her  crushed  heart 

^21^  '*"**'"  *^'  **'"*"y  'SL*^*  pri^lcnt ;  and  if  I  should 
BOt^WIe  tt  £ome^  you  as  ol^h  as  you— as  1  myself  would 
hk*,  yOu  must  prohifiJ^  me  Jo  be  patiraj^-noi  to  write  to  me 
igim.     You  promise  thuyUice  ?  V        ^  -JT         S^ 

"  I  pronkise."         --^^^  -  ** 


"Oficxrtirse,. 
that;    but,  u 
hav^m|ide  a 
eroua     Make 
leave  to  ffteak. 
"  I  nndentand." 
JBbe  aniircred  lam 
the  fMlii%  <ire. 


iD't  like  t^-see  foa  oithMppy  or  toJta^  m 


>«|iy.  in  our  position,  it  w  inevitable.    1 
\^m  sacnhce  fanr  you.  <  Don't  be  less  gen. 
sacrifice  for  ine.    Wait  udl  I  give   yoo 
Yoa  understand,  Alice?" 


•*AlMlymiwiUobtf>' 


-     k  \ 


the  riduiM 
le  u  or  no, 

i  had  seen 

le  puftuifi^ 
whose  very 

lice's  dooi 
ss  I  hive 
epin|[  non- 
1  s«fel^u 

e  entered 

low  oJr  Uui, 
ch  a  co^/ 
I  *" 

irs  since  I 
iet,  and  1 
^  with  a 

EarUcoufi 

'  he  went 

L" 

ire  plainl| 

r  I  should 
lelf  would 
rite  to  me 

oJta^  at 

liable.     1 

less  gen- 

pve   pm 


esfcst.- 


dr  9MmBT6M. 


a«J 


''IwOlohry." 

"  f)n  no  account  maiit  you  admit  my  brcther  or  Stedman,  oi 
tty  of  the  peo^.ie  we  know.  Go  out  as  little  as  possible,  aud 
When  you  do  go  out,  wear  a  thick  *eiL  In  a  few  weeks,  at 
most,  J  mil  find  you  a  pleasant  country  home,  where  you  will 
»ait,  m  peace  and  comfort,  until  1  can  bring  you  forward  as— 
U  Lady  Alontalien  ! ,  Yoa  pledge  yourself  to  all  this,  Alire. 
»d  you  will  try  not  to  feel  lonely  and  low-spirited  ?  " 

Sae  lifted  her  eyes  to  his  face  for  the  second  time  smce  hii 
JOtrance— such  hopeless,  hopeless  eyes. 

"I  will  try;'«*Bhe  answered,  in  a  voice  more  mournful  than 

••  T)i4n.  good-by,  Alice.     Keep  up  your  spirits,  and  don  ♦  be 
discouraged  if  I  shouldn't  be  here  again  for  a  couple  of  weeks, 
iijst  me  that  J  will  come  as  soon  as  1  can.     Good-by." 
^  _**rrood-by."     She  said  it  as  mechanically  as  the  rest,  not 
Irtirnng.     He  put  on  his  hat,  opened  the  door,  turned,  came 
I  back,  stooped  and  kissed  her.     For  the  last,  the  only  time,  a 
pang  of  compassion  touched  his  heart  of  stone. 
"  My  ptoor  httle  Alice  ! "  he  said ;    "  good-by/' 
And  then  he  was  gone.     Back  to  that  bright  other  world- 
D^c^  to  the  velvet-hung,  wax-lit  world,  where  lovely   Paulina 
I*isle  shone  a  queen  I    And  Alice  stood  where  he  had  left  her, 
"^fcUff  u^^'^*  ^°^  moving  for  hours  and  hour*.    An  outcast 
—from  home,  from  parents,  from  fiienda,  from  lov»— alone  fbi 
t^ver  and  ever. 


CHAPTER  T. 


AT  IRIGHTOll  ,, 

IN    the  day   lucceedirg  this  memoreDle  aeironA  ol 

November,  Sir  Vane   Chartens  took   his   fiundj  co 

Brighton  to  spend  the  remainder  of  Uie  autumn.     He 

,^     .      j^  hired  a  large  furnished  house  on  the  East  Clik 

-Tha^ifetiou  was  chafmm|  ^tlie  bfoad,  bright  i^l  spfrodawa" 

Ud  away  nntil  it  melied  into  the  bmad  bright  sky.    O^  ven 

OMrdAfi  you  saw  the  bold  coast  of  Diqq^  from  tbe  wiitdoira. 


•tfn,^-^ 


M'i 


t«4 


4t  BMtGm%M, 


rf 


MIm  Lule  for  whose  benefit,  the  rcmiwal  had  chic  fly  been, 
en^ycd  l^,ghton  amazingly.     irtfiffi^place^tJe  fi«  S 

r.J.hJ"  "^To^*"  Pl«-'asant<si.nny  afternoons,  when  in  the  most 
r.v..hmg   of   Pansian   toilets  she   lo.ter.d  ilong  the   par^ 
U^en  ng  to  the  band,  and  the  airy,  gallant  noth.^ngs  of  T^X 
Oftceis  qaariered  at  the  Mngbton  lilrracks.     She  clrove^'  th7 
Hike,  in  the  loveliest  little  turn-out.  ^,th  cream  cSoTrl^ih 
steppers,  for  which  her  guardian   hicJ  given Tn^  rfabull, 

K"t  "'  J.f  i^'^'l^  '^^"'"'"g  'he  nbboL  like  'To,  r-m  hind 
Fosubrook"  htmself.  to  the  adn.iration  of  all  behdders  She 
J^as  the  chief  aun  for   all   the   lorgnettes   at   the  pre    V  lint 

weiiy .  her  bnghl  eyes  never  dinidied  nor  her  smiles  f-Sled 
She  «a.  .he  re,gnihg  beau.y  and  belle  ere  sL  hid  been  . 

J^.>u;q^ind't^n;--  rX:viv5S 

?.™her2ir?'^"^'"'"  *^''"'  P'o-W.  equal  •,o[hirof 

5.t::^.;;^^":h!;^':hna^tu*"L':''  k;"'  "-r  •« 

ye,  who  persisted  in  escorting  them  evervwher,   «„  K.r^f 
«U,rr"T"  "  "*"  S^'"""  »"'  '"=  do«?;  heT'drive^'S 


fmng  lo  lot  MiM  Liale.     Dcnced  deejy 


eti  moi 
fellow, 


wy,  and  he 


jfy^'. 


imhut  <«■• 

vie  fly  been, 
!re  was  tht 
iroiigh  thr 
ien  Siissei 
londs,  and 

1  the  most 
le  parade 
of  sundry 
ovc  to  tht 
}r<!(i  l!%h 
fabulous 
ir-in  hand- 
ers.     She 
etty  little 
^n,  where 
■>he    weni 
■ — dining, 
ver   grew  ' 
es  faded 
i  been  a 
•zen,  and 
ST.     And 
se,  heaps 
udy  \fiss 
er  voice, 


Jir  MM/GMTON. 


96s 


that  of                J 

' 

unny  sea 
only  one 
lien,  her 

m  being 
ves,  her 

■ 

eatre  all 

>y  night 
^er  they 
with  the                ^ 

to  link 

.  anrf  Im                   i 

• 

jieart,  ik>t  a  bit  like  the  Earlscourts-  a  shabby  beggir  too,  al 
bottotu^it  was  a  pity  so  glorious  a  girl  should  be  flunii  away 
npon  such  a  cad!  »        ^ 

At  the  close  of  the  second  week  Mis?  Uilc  herself  rebelled 

She  had  been  trying  for  days  back  to  throw  off  the  yoke,  but 

in  vain  ;  there  was  a  quiet  power  and  detem^ination  about  hii 

kwdship  that  bent  most  people  to  lys  resol^ite  will     But  xhk 

foung  lady  of  eighteen  had  a  will  of  her«|wn,  quite  as  stiona 

Vw  "'*'*'*»''»  she  chose  to  assert  it.     ShVhad.  dishked  Loid 

Montalien  always ;  she  simply  detested  him  now.     His  eyes, 

his  smile,  when  bent  upon  her,  revolted  her,  the  cold  touch  of 

his  fingers  made  hef  shudder  with   aversion;  he  stifled  her 

wnen  he  stood  beside  her  at  the  piano      He  was  fast  becoming 

the  bugbear  of  her  life.     She  could  not  eradicate  from  her 

nimd  Uie  belief  that  he  was  the  man,  who,  under  pretence  of 

inamage,  had  lured  the  friend  she  loved  away  from  her  home. 

Pretence^  for  of  late  the  sickening  conviction  that  it  had  bee« 

only  pretence,  had  dawned  upon  her.     She  felt  sjire  that  he, 

with  his  artful  character  and  subtle  wilfes,  was  the  viiiain,  and  she 

hated   him   accordingly.     And   Paulina   Lisle  wv    what    Dr. 

Johnson  would  have  liked,  a  "good  hater." 

"He's  like  the  death's-head  at  the  Egyptian  banquets,"  sh< 
said  to  Mrs.  Galbraith  bitterly ;"  always  present  and  always 
spoiling  my  plej^sure.  Why  does  he  n:ake  pretence  of  stoppin4 
at  the  Ship  Hotel  ?  Why  doesn't  he  fetch  his  belongings,  and 
take  up  his  abode  at  once  in  this  house  ?  He  is  like  one's 
shadow,  or  one's  poodle,  following  forever,  no  matter  whera 
one  goes.  Can't  he  see  he  is  not  wanted  ?" 
^ /'My  dear,  what  language!'  exclaimed  Mrs.  Gallvailh. 
His  lordship's  attentions  are  most  flattering  to  you.  It  ii 
plain  enough  to  be  seen  he  is  quite  infatuated ;  and  it  would 
be  a  brilliant,  yes,  a  splendid  match  for  you.  His  incline  if 
clear  fifteen  thousand  a  year,  and  the  title  one  of  the  oldest  in 
Intain." 

"I  don'^  obfccctao  the  title  or  the  income,"  replied  Mia 
Lisle,  wiih%mrdm"  the  man  I  abhor  I " 

"  Abhor,  f^ulmSf-l     Such  strong  language  ! " 

"  Is  not  yoa^.ady-like,  I  know ;  but  my  feelings  ar«  strong, 
Mrs.  Galbraith,  and  'my  manners  have  not  the  repose  which 
JjyJLUl^gast  oLJ^ere  de  Vere^L    \Ben  I  feel  stronglyy=l^ 
must  speak  strongly;  and  1  detest,  athor,  and  hate  Franrii 
Eatlsccurt,  Ixird  Montalien  I     There  I ' 

Perhaps  Paulina  never  rejfjly  looked  so  pretif  m  when  in  • 


'/ 


AT  BRIG  men. 


puiio^  Her  cheeks  flushedup,  her  eyes  sparkled,  iei  tHxrii 
fKe  kindled.  To  the  eyes  of  the  man  who  had  enteied  un- 
..  heard,  and  stood  screened  by  the  curtained  arch  of  th*'d6or 
way,  she  looked  as  a  blue-eyed  Cleopatra  might  when  her 
Eastern  blood  was  up.  It  was  Lord  Montatien ;  and  the  old 
idage  that  listeners  nrver  heai  any  good  of  ti^Bmselves  n&e 
'  never  mnre  fully  verified. 

'J  You  suipiise  me,  Paulina — you  shock  me  !  Pray,  let  nc 
fiftj*  but  mine  hear  such  language  from  youi  lips.  Your  dislike 
^  Lord  Montalien  is  most  unjust ;  he  is  a  model  young  man 
in  ever/  respect."  ^, 

"Yes,  I  know,"  retorted  the  wilful  beauty,  with  a  shrui 
"thafs  one  reason  why  I  detest  him.  1,  can't  bear  mocfe* 
young  men.  His  virtues  are  superhuman,  1  acknowledge*, 
and — I  should  smother  in  the  same  house' with  him!  Your 
model  young  men,  who  possess  all  Ihe  cardinal  virtues  out- 
wardly, are  always  villains  at  bottom." 

"Paulina,  I  really  cAi't  listen  to  this!  Iirepeat,  he  is  an 
excellent,  ^n  exemplary  young  man.  He  is  the  best  of  land- 
lords, and  his  name  heads  every  subscription  list  for  most 
munificent  sums." 

"  Every  published  subscription  list,  certainly  !     AJid  I  h; 
read  somewhere,  •  Let  not  jrt)ur  left^  hand  know  wijat  your  right 
hand  giveth.'     His  name  heads  those  lists  for  munificent  %\x 
and  I  saw  him  raise  his  horsewhip  to  a  •)oor  wretch  yes»Rr 
who  asked  him  for  a   shilling.     Lord  Montalien  has  fifteenij 
thoiisand  a  year,  an?^he  is  amiser.     If  he  wants  me  at  all' he, 
wants  my  eighty  thousand  Pfltts  to  add  to  htj  stOTe.     A^  >ou 
leem  to  be  a  friend  of  hiSf'^prs.  Galbraith,  suppose  you  drop  ^ 
him  a  hint  to  spare  me  his  company  fur  the  future,.    The  more 
I  see  of  him  die  more  1  dislike  hill." 

"  You  are  more  than  unjust.  Miss  Lisle ;  you  are  unchfi$tian. 
I  thought  ycu  were  above  ^rejpeating  such  Cruel  i^luiAnitSk  «t 
tkese  behind  his  back."  v 

"I  will  say  thepi  to  his  face,  if  you  ^cfer  it !  I  will,  T  pro- 
test, if  he  does  not  cease  dogging  me  asihe  does.  What  bun- 
new  have  people  to  couple  our  names  ?*  I  w6uk)  die  before  I 
wouM  marryhifn  1  You  call  me  Unjust.  \  tell  yqu,  '  passion-" 
ately,!  I  am  not.  1  have  reason  to  hate  him — I  know  he  is  thi 
tut,  who  lufed  poor  Alice  Warren  from  her  home." : 


r 


i  • 


'3^ 

rday 


f 


"#. 


^ 


H 


i»  FauGna  I  that  person's  name  ag¥in  f"  said  Mrs.  G^llHEald^ 
with  aoiterity.^    '^  Did  I  not  tell  you  it  ll|^  iadelicate  of 'yoM   .    '" 
•ven  to  allude  to  her  7 "  "x  *  ,>^ 


« 

.A,/,^ 


.  ••  • 


a  wfaok 
eied  un- 
*6'door- 
hen  he? 
the  old 
ves  mti 

U  lei  nc 
r  dislike 
ingman 

I  shruL   " 
r  roooe' 
wledge> 
!    Youi 
ues  out-' 

ie  is  9X^ 
of  land- 
br  most 


X 


I  hi 
''ur  right 

esfftrday 
5  ftfteenj^ 
It  all- he. 

^%  )Ott 

ou  drop  ^ 
he  more 

hfisriJui. 
Ani(^  «f 

i;i'pr«>. 

lat  bun- 
htXos^  I 
passkm>" 
He  is  thi 


f 


3 


AT  BMtmMTOii, 


««7 


*•¥«■,  yon  told  aae,  Mr«.  Galbraith,"  the  gtii  uisweted,  witfc 
ft  haxl  laugh.     "  Vou  do  your  duty  by  ine  in  ever)-  respect 
She  has  been  unfortunate,  through  no'^It  of  hers ;  she  is  in 
nusery  knd  poverty,  perhaps,  and  it  is  Wdelicate  in  her  oUiest      * 
friend  ti^^nientiui^ her  naine i     Toot  little  Alice!" 

"Thrdugh  no  fault  of  hers  I  I  don't  understand  "yon.  Th« 
fauh  tc/oj  h<ers,  and  she  must  bear  the  penalty.  You  pet  tilt e0 
ta  advertising  for  her— let  that  suffice.  She  is  a  lost  creature 
'#hose  name  you  should  blush  to  mention.  And,  for  the  rest, 
no  one  thinks  of  her  in  connection  with  his  lonU*\in  —the  un^ 
nappy  young  woman  fled  from  home  with  hyi  disreputabl* 
younger  brother;"  z^ 

"  Never ! "  Paulina'Sj^es  flashed  fire.     "  They  travelled  up 
to  Londoi^  together;    a   coincidence— nothing   more.      Guy 
EarlscoUrt  affirmed  to  Alice's  father  that  he  was  not  the  part 
ner  of  her  flight,  and  Mathew  Warren  believes  him.     So  do  I 
— so  does  Captain  Villiers." 

"Captain  ViUiers  J" 

"  Yes ;-  he  was  one  of  the  men  stopping  in^the  hoi  »  •'  lik, 
time ;  and  he  is  here,  you  know.  Yesterday  on  the  pier  1 
asked  him — " 

"Paulina!  yotflskedhim?" 

"Don't  faint.  Airs.  Galbraith.     Yes,  I  had  the  shocking  au 
dacity  tOn^sk  him  if  he  ccAsO  throw  any  light  on  the  subject— 
ff  he  believed  Lieutenant  Earlscourt  to  be  the  man  with  whoiifc 
she  fled.'    And  he  said  no,  emphatit«lly  no.     They  all  admit  ed 
her— he.  Sir  Harry^CJordon,  \.ovA  Montalien,  and  lUiy     Uuy, 
least  of  all;  Guy,  in  the  way  o<fccounsluis  never." 

"  Perhaps  he  told  you  also  whom  hp  irM^\i%})ccl  ?  "  ' 

^*No,  men  don't  tell  o^?n h  oihei  .  he  dW  ndt.     But  5r.le»i 
Alice  herself  came  befor«(PKe,  and  idKI  me  Lord  Monulienwu 
Kuiltlpss,  1  would  not  bdleve  it.     Now  you  know  why  I  diilik* 
fcim  !     His^ohduct  to  his  brother,  too,  is  abomira*ilc.    fHfce 
tn|^s  l^st  week  Gliy  waf  artested  for  debj|,  ani  tak(^  to  some  ^^. 
horrid  place;  a  ' sponging  house,'  j::apuin  ViUierSA^Iled  it       '-^ 
•"('  "Ot  onpe  ditl  Lord  Montalieft,  with  his  fifteenfliousand  * 
pounds  a  year,  come  forward-to  aid  hirn.     No,  l|e  left  it  to  \Jm    ■« 
0I4 maiden  aunt,     ^{ho  could  hke  afctch  a  man  as  that  ?     VVfiy 
doesn't  he  pay  bis  brothers  debts,  as  an  onlj; brother  should?  "  -  ^ 

"  You-ialk^ike  a  cftiltk,  l^ulina.     Guy  'J':ariscourt^  " 


jj^aetr^ 


naAerTtJurpny  nor  hil'friSl^orsJieliK    He  is  oiie  of  tKe  fiirt^ 


i^lbaiia^ 


.  V 


i  ttt,  most  reckless  youhg  men  ff  «hii  <ky;  pOM 


H  '9- 


■.\. 


H 


r-\.  ^e, 


,11 


■r 


*•'••% 


90i 


AT  MMI6MT0N. 


"TVl  win  Jo,  Mrs.  C.albraith  f     Who  js  caltimniatinf  dM 

abseet  now  ?     With  all  his  vices,  1  believe  he  is  far  the  bettei 
man  of  tne  t»»o.     Us  used  to  have  a  heart,  at  least,     l^ri 

■■-  Mop  alien,  like  the  god  Jess  M  inervar-wasOjorn  without  that  in- 
coo»  anient  appendage.  And  t..iw,"  pulling  out  her  watch,  and 
with  her  brightest  smile,  "it  we  have  done  quarrelling,  s-ip- 
pcwe  we  go  for  a  drive  ?"     ,  - 

^  Quanels  like  this  were  of  no  rare  occurrence  between  Mrs. 
ullbraifh  and  her  charge.     Mrs.  Galbraith  had  the  stereotyped 
idei  of  what  a  young  lady  shouici  be— low-voiced,  calni-pulstd 
r-'m.  gentle  nonentity,  who  did  wnat  she  was  told,  like  a  good 
whild ;  who  had  no  ideas  of  her  own  whatever,  but  took  them 
as  she  did  her  pocket-money,  from  the  hands  of  her  guardian, 
i'jti'fna  was  as  unlike  this   iaeai  as  can  well  b-  imagined 
her  pi-ity  head  was  full  of  iileas — new,  startling,  heterodox— 
»nd  her  pretty  I.ps  gave  those  ioeas  utterance  unhesitatingly. 
She  wai!  saucy,  w.:)-vard,  caj)ricious,  unth' strong  likes  and  dis 
likes  ;\iR  rebellious  a  young  i)ersOn  of  eighteen  as  ever  bad 
geted  achaperone.      Perhaps  it  was  her  sparkling  origin;ility, 
so  discoiiilning  to  Mr^,  (iaibraith,  mat  irfrew  such  crowds  oi 
admirers  around  her.     She  was  bewKching.she  was  fascinating, 
she  was  a  Circe,  the  spell  of  whose  eyf-s  and  smjlc  brought  the 
best  men  in  Brighton  to  her  side  and  teet. 

V  •'  i  wish  I  couid  see  Mr.  Karlscourt,"  she  thought,  as  she  lay 
back  in  the  barouche  ;  "  1  wotdd  ask  him  about  Alice.  He 
went  up  with  her  to  London,  and  he  may  know  something.  1 
will  never  give  up — never  rest  until  I  find  her." 

Miss  l.isle  had  her  wish  that  very  night.  As  she,  on  her 
guardian's  arm,  made  her  way,  near  rmdnight,  through  some 
g-owded  a.'.seiiibly  rooms,  she  Saw,  sunding  talking  to  Captain 
Villieis,  (luy  Karlscourt. 

An  eag«T  light  of  pleasure  and  recognition  came  into  her 
hre.  He  was  a  spendthrift,  a  gambler — she  hati  htmrd — he 
vas  over  head  and  cars  in  debt  ;  social  outlawry  threatened 
lira,  the  world  spoke  bitterly  of  him;  his  excellent  el^e. 
arotiier  hated  him  ;  and  foi  all  this  the  girl's  impetuous,  gener- 
ous heart  went  out  toward  him.  it  was  chiUUsh.  perhaps,  but 
his  vejy  misdeeds  threw  i  halo  of  romance  around  hun.  He 
was  Monte  Cljristb,  Mepiiisropheles,  Don  Giovanni;  ami  he 
WM  so  very,  very  handsome,  poor  fe.low,  and  he  had  SKcli  a 
t>bb  air— there  was  not  another  man  iniMLnKMn  who  UK)k^ 


rdisnngujsRed"  a.s  he. 

^hc  renietnbcred  him  aa  the  had 


fe.low,  and 
seen  him  mi 


It,  with  th«  foil' 


liadnf  4* 
the  bettei 

ast.  l^H 
)ut  that  in- 
watch,  and 
illing,  s'lp- 

wecn  MrSi- 
tereotyp^ 
i,hn-pulscd 
ke  a  gocK* 
ook  them 
guardian, 
imagined 
'tero(!i>x— 
.-sitatingiy. 
s  and  dis 
ever  bad- 
)nginality, 
crowds  oi 
iscinatir\g, 
«mght  the 

as  she  lay 
hce.  He 
ithing.     I 

e,  on  her 
ugh  some 
o  Captain 

into  her 
loifd — he 
hieatened 
ent  el^e. 
us,  gener- 
-haps,  but 
■urn.  Me 
;  ar.(i  he 
d  sKch  a 
lo  ItHiked 


dT  BJt/eitroM 


^ 


■Mae  Ikhdnf  np  hi>  dark  face  as  he  bowe<^v^>.'  Th« 
dark  ^.Tendoi  of  that  (talian  face  was  a  trifle^C^f"  :^? 

ana  worn,  and  the  great,  iununoiis,  pathetic  brown  eves  1  jokrS 
at  you  with  a  tired  light.  Withal,  he  was  dress^ J  in  I  .f^ 
fect..n  of  taste-a  knot  of  RussianViolcts  in  his^u.tlt,!^. 

he^l^?'as'"u'sual^"Th'VV^^^^*^'  *"^>°"^  »^-»»^«  « 
sunshine,  on  ^w       ^  'u''*"'  ^   '"'•an-prettie.t  thing  Ute 

JS5  Ss  beuer  ^L"f '  ^^VV' u'^'^^"^  '^*^""'  ^^'ks  better. 
Ihl^.=,  ?  .  ^"  ^"y  S"'  '  '^"''«' ;  and  she  has  eirfitv 
thousand  ;  and  your  brother  is  ,„aking  play  there  in  a  wnvlhl^ 
leaves  no  roon.  for  lesser  n.ortals.  Look  at  her?  CLt^ 
woman  in  the  rooms— isn't  she? "  ^^veu-si 

Guy  looked  lazily.     He  had  come  expressly  down  to  Brlchton 

for'r^eirtv  of  Bright"'  '''  T'"^^"^  "-"•  -^  -^t':." 
He  h^ked  iiS,  uf  7  was  he  prepared  to  excit.  himself 
xie  looked,  with  languid  admiration,-,  at   the  exnmsit^  for* 

r.^'^"  f  *^"  ^r'  ^"^  ^^'*"«  t  •'"•-  unde^T  '^ 

Yes,     he  said,  at  last ;    "  you'rt  rieht    Villiens       «5K-  .• 

^dsome-always  wa.s  though!  I  ren?e^nber_an?  thorough 

ored  as  a  princess.     See  how  d.s<Wofuliy  she  glances  a  Mon?i  • 

He  has  no  show,  I'm  tertain ;  and  I'm  glad  of  it      )t  woufd  L 

«  sacrilege  to  throw  such  a  girl  as  that  away  on  Frar  l^'         ^ 

you  kmr'^srX*^^"^  win^ourself,  Guy.  Vuu  could, 
yoti  knew.  She  talks  of  you,  anid. remembers  you.  and  i-iti-s 
you  for  your  misfortunes,  a.  she  terms  it.     Eighty  timu  J,  di. 

J^lHi^^^  ^^^A    ^"^  "^*^  '*'°'''"i  '^^  black  mustache  •  « if 

Ls  k,  t  v^t.  mI  i'''^,^  fortune-hunting  to  my  other  enormf 
Jh?./^r/n  ''  ^'"''^  deserves  a  better  fate,  poor  little  rirl 

tnan  to  fall  a  victim  to  either  of  us  "  ^ 

••She  IS  looking  'his  way,"  the  other  said,  eagerly.     •Tonw?'' 
Earlscuurt,  let  MS  go  and  a.k  her  to  dance  1 "    ^     ^  ^ 

^  ^»at  1  you    too,   George 


l^fmTTo  r?"'"'  ^  ^"^X^'^"  ''^•^  I'i^«eTattracti\^r^ 
i?S  iJ^i?  ?*  r^^'i"?  "^  "*''''"8.  wiL'i  the  thermomeS 
■t  m  preMnt  hcijjhL     1  dooi  know  that  I  flh«U  ttoobU  JiJ« 


I  the  mil- 


.\. 


JfO 


4t  BttTCMtotr 


Lille  at  all — not  worth  whfle,  as  I  retorn  to  town  again  to 
morrow.'  » 

So  Captain  Villiers  went  up  alone  and  wrote  his  name  oe 
Miss  Lisie's  tablets ;  and  if  that  ycung  lady  wondcted  a  liltle 
at  (ju/s  neglect,  her  face  did  not  show  it.  She  danced  with 
VUlierb — with  nearly  every  man  who  asked  her,  save  and 
accept  Loi'l  M ontahen ;  and  more  than  once  hereyes  followed 
the  tail  fonn  of  Guy  Karlscourt  as  he  move#  in  his  slow,  grac& 
All  way  through  the  warm  rooms.  J' 

"  Why  does  he  not  speak  to  me  ? "  she  wondered.    '^"  How 
unkind  of  hini !     1  am^  detemiined-  to  speak  to  htm,  howevex, 
before  the  evening   ends,     lie   must   tell  me   something  dt-', 
Ahce." 

She  went  into  the  music-room  presently,  on  the  arm  of 
Captain  Villiers,  and  sajt  down  to  sing.  The  rumor  that  Miss 
L«sle  was  about  to  sing  'was  enough  to  insure  an  audience. 
She  glanced  saucily  over  hef°  shoulder  as  the  apartment  hlled^ 
and  saw,  leaning  against  a  column  near  the  doorway,  Lieilten- 
ant  Earlscourt,  and  a  sudden  inspiration  seized  her,  and  the 
long  slie  had.  sung  two  years  ago  at  M ontahen  Priory,  while  hr 
bent  over  her,  broke  like  a  bud's  trill  from  her  lips. 


^^Ahl  Countv  Guy,  th«  how  U  alfh 

The  tun  hat  left  the  U*. 
'    Hi*  orange-flower  perfuaa*  tka  beww, 

The  bneie  is  on  the  tea 
The  lark  whoite  lay  hat  trilled  all  iMf, 

Siu  buth>^,  his  partner  tiigb  :    v 
'    Braeie.  bird,  and  Auww  conl'eta  th*  koav, 

Bui  where  it  County  UuyT 


**  TIm  Tfllage  maid  steals  t)iraiich  the 
"  *■  Her  tover't  suit  to  hear  ; 

^  Ta  Maiiiy  thy,  by  lattice  high, 

f't'i'  Sings  hi£h-lwm  cavalier. 

The  star  of  love,  all  start  ahova,  ..   . 

Now  reigns  o'et  earth  atid  sky, 
Aad  high  and  low  hit  tnfluenqa  kaaw 
Hut  »hero  is  County  Guy  t " 


t      '^ 


I 


fle  had  draws  near  involuntarily-r-he  iRras  standing  cIom 
B<')siide  her  when  she  arose  from  tne  piano,  and  she  held  out 
b«r  hand  to  hini  at  once  with  her  most  radiant,  her  most  sancjr 
Ouile.  \',. 

•'  JSut  where  is  Gmnty  Guy  t  I  thought  you  would  remem*,' 
ber  the  old  song  even  if  you  ha7>e  forgotten  poor  me.     Mr. 


Eaflscour^ 


'h<m-6^f<nr6o'  to  - 


'    I J 


Guy   Earlscouft  was  oo  stoic      He  bent  above  tlie  littli 
Itan J,  and  munnUred  hu  thanks,  at  her  gracious  rememb; 


,J*i' 


.'~.^' 


•% 


■-  (■ 


^: 


V'*»>::- 


name  oe 
led  a  little 
inceid  with 

save  and 
;s  followed 
low,  grace 

I  '"  How 
,  however, 
letbing  1^^ 

le  arm  of 
that  Miss 
audience, 
lent  filled^ 
',  Liettten 
:r,  and  the 
Y,  while  h» 


ding  cloM 
e  held  oat 
nost  ssMiqr 

lid  remein»f 
me..    Mr. 


tlie  littb 
emt 


AT  MMtGwr^m. 


m 


'U 


I  tad  tewrcrly  hoped  for  so  great  an  totmor,*"  he  latd 
"  aaMng  the  hundreds  of  new  friends,  of  «dor,(^,  who  sinonni 
ihc  belie  of  Brighton.  Yoa  mas|  pardon  my  not  coining  lot 
ward  sooner,  and  daimicg  teo^tioii — it  waj  ray  very  gieai 
oiodetty,  I  assure  you." 

"The  finrt  time  I  ever  heard  yoo  creditcid  with  the  virtue,'' 
bughed  Paulina,  ukirig  his  arm.  §he  was  at  her  brighteci 
BOW ;  she  bad  had  what  she  so  dearly- loved — h*r  tiwn  way. 

"Or  any  other  virtue,  I  fear.  Does^t  Mrs.  Galbraith  da 
kar  duty,  and  tell  you  what  a  monster  I  am  ?  " 

*'  Mrs.  Galbraith  does  her  duty,  and  tells  me  what  a  monsta 
foa  are.  But  I  have  a  great  deal  jc^  courage — thailks  to  my 
early  training ;  and  I'm  not  afraid  o(A^onsters.  Mr.  EarU- 
court,  I  have  been  wanting  to  see  you^ery  much,  to  speak' to 
VOu  upon  a  8ubject,^the  one  trouble  of  my  life,  and  I  can', 
itre,  among  this  crowd..  Will  ypu  take  me  somewhere  wh^r* 
we  can  talk  undisturbed?" 

Her  perfect  innocence,  and  the-  ne;(imess  of  the  subject  to 
Vt  heart  gave  her  cdyrage,  vernng  upon  bol^ess,  perhaps. 
Itut  she  did  hot  mean  to  be  bol^  and  she  went  with  him  out 
on  the  balcony— <Ieserted  by  all^save  themselves.     He  had 

Son^  to  the  doak-room,  and  got'  her  wfap — a  voluminous 
raperjr  of  soft  blue  Wbollen  stufl^  white  silk  and  swan's-down— 
and  wrapped  it  reverently  about  her.  The  night  was  milcras 
sununer,  the  great  stars  burned  in  .the  purple  night  sky,  the 
wide,  dark  sea  lay  tranquilly  benfeatq^jthe  music  from  the  ball- 
room came  fiairt  and  1^  ofi  The  memory  of  that  night,  and 
of  the  girl  by  iiis  side,  renukined  with  Guy  Elarlscoiut  through 
all  ttie. after  years-^the  sweet,  earnest  yottDs  face,  the  large, 
lafnTadus  eyes,  the'trailing  gc^d'en  hair,  bound  back  with  pearls 
and  roses,  and  the  tall,  graceful  iigure,  draped  -in  its  soft  blna 
uunteL  ivhaooted  him  for  weary,  years  of  eaile  with  naffti>if!fc 

'*  Y^  fcnow  what  I  want  to^talk.to  you  about,  I  sBirpoae^ 
Mr.  Earlapourt?"  she  began,  impiilsiveff.  'MVhere  u  Alice 
Waii^n?'* 

The  Mue,  ramesf  eyes  were  cuiiottsly  watchibg  him.     Wtu 
,  U  guilty  f    No^  guilt  never  kwked  back  at  her  as  he  to&ked. 

'M  wish  I  knewt  Mjs^  Lisle  I  don't,  I  assuie  yon.  I  am 
tfilid our  popi  'tittle  fiidnd  h^ come  to griei"  i' 

-  "  Ml, JEag^girQurt,  you  know  that  tKune  pftwplt  ay    aay/ 


!»- f  ftce  drbop^d  a  Uttlfe,  "that  she  fled  wj'ii  you." 
**  I'kaow  it.     It  ia  mot  uolu.  *  We  were  op  w 


ni^['<^^:>'$A''''%'i 


n- 


« 


,f 


t»wn  tufvtlNi 


rtJa^V-..*^'* 


T     .-ft' 


,  ^     f     -. 


!ii 


(»^ 


'-*"■*(, 


/ 


AT  BRIGBTOS. 

*•  And  you  did  ?  "  breathlewly.  „      ° 

M  ^*^  ^"-"  ^*'"*  "'^^^'"  »*<^"  ^"  suite," 

»k!-!^^'i  r  ^  ^"^  ^'^  P'*'*^^  a  s«^on«J  tinie.  She  w:is  t?1 
ftTsiTtoii'^"  Pal..d  sha.Juw«f  th.  blcx>nnn^  Alice  you  kn"w 
«it  5he  told  me  nothing,  and  1  asked  no  u.J^ions  Sh^^Ti 
known  in  the  house.by  the  nan.e  of  Mrs.  U,oS"'  """' 

-on.  prJiaS  '"""Ok^AiVK'T""  ^;^.^;"^  ^•^''""•^^'  ^^p^^- 

'     1~  '•"'"»»•         Uli,  Air.  Karlscourt  1  fe  t  sure   vnu  rri»l  4  .^ii 
"Gone!" 

wnuiaay,  ana  told  her  Mrs.  Brown  was  about  to  leave  1  «in«l<m 
Next  ,„urn.n«  a  cab  ca«,e  for  her  and  took  her  and  her  tht« 

PauUna'i  face  looked  very  blank. 

».«  ik^k*  ^^^^'^J'"'-**  »^»  "'^  wlio  this  manis-^thitf  bad  bad 
wan,  -who  h^a  lured  her  away  from  her  h(,m^     «i.       "*'*'. °*« 

fc..thfully  ta^iarry  her.  and  x.Lke  her  ha'rrVoU  l^^ZT^ 
you  must  suspec  t-teU  me  who  it  is  i  "        ^  8"spect- 

m;.ur^cTo„:'"'  ''^"  ^ '^^^^  "°^  ^^^^  ^^  ^-^  ->  ^  breath. 

•ejaemca  U,  but  I  have  vow.d  to  discover  the  uuth»  u,d  J 
Her/fcandaome  lips  set  themselvei  in  »  r.-8ol.ite  Un*    h« 


meaning  "'IhTi^oidlncnlLj^^ 


;  of  th^ 


H. 


,,.  .A;„ 


>  ',>    *<1 


ik<^  me  f4 


stum  iPrnn 

c  WHS  sriil 

you  knew. 

She  was 

coa'd  tell 
it  is  roQ 


her  very 
ars,  made 
le  gentle- 
arid  Mrs. 
paid  the 
I  -t)ndt»n. 
er  things 
othing  oi 


bad,  bad 

uspect- 

breathe 

sd  her— 
r.  And 
a»  umI  I 

ne—hei 


Hiiei. 


jir  BXrc^TON. 


m 


«• !  love  Alice  HI  e  t  sister.    Those  I  Have  j»c«.  liked  1  likt 

alfrays,  let  them  do  w  h^t  they  will." 

"  Your  friemls  ar*  fortunate  people,  Miss  I.isle.  Yoa  should 
add  n)e  to  the  lis*  •  ii  would  be  a  splendid  opportunity  ol 
Cxercuing  your  rh^rity.'  I  don't  deserve  a  friend,  I  am  quite 
iwire,  still  I  tKirk  it  would  be'^ pleasant  ta have  one." 
"  I  am  your  friend,"  she  answered,  quietly. 
"  WhiH  !  in  spite  of  ali  the  atrocious  things  Frank,  Sir,  Vano, 
U:s.  (iaibraJth  aiuf  the  norld  must  have  told  you  of  guca  a 
black  sheep  as  myself^?"  with  his  rare  smile. 

"  In  spite  of  all.  If  one  deserts  one's  friends  because  they 
are-unfurtunat^  I  would  not  give  much  for  friendship." 

"  Unfortunate  !  "  he  smiled  again.  "That  is  a  miW  word  to 
apply  to  such  a  ne'er-do-well  as  1  am.  Still,  1  thank  you.  Miss 
l.ifcle  ;   I  will  not  soon  forget  your  kind  indulgence." 

She  glanced  at  hirn,  looking  very  haughty  and  handa^me  \a 
the'  dun  hjgHt.-  Then  her  head,  drooped — she  began  pUyiRg 
nervously  (j^rfth  her  tassels.  He  was  in  debt ;  she  had  more 
money  ihaih  she  knew  what  to  do' with  ;  she  felt  a  great  com- 
passion for  him  si«rnng  in  her  heart ;  if  he  w^jld  <»J)r  let  hcf 
help  him.  ■  r 

"Mr.  f-^rlscourt,"  she  faltered,  "they — say— jou  are  in^^ 
debt,"  words  coming  slowly  and  painfully.  "If  1  jyn  yow 
fnend,  will  you  not  let  me — oh,  don't  be  hurt-^onl!jt  be 
offende<l.  please — but  won't  you  let  me  help  you  ?  I  har^  r* 
much  money.  I  don't  want  it,  and  it  would  nuke  roe  so  hftfipjf 
if  only  you  would — " 

He  made  a  sudden,  swift  motion  that  stopped  her. 
-14*  Not  a  word  more,  Miss  Lisle  I     From  my  soul  I  am  grate- 
ftU  to  yoii,  Init  you  must  see  it  »s  impossible.     Believe  me,  I 
«i?U  not  readily  forget  your  generosity  of  this  nigtit,  unworthy 

if  it  as  I  am."  - -.^^ 

*Vi'.  was  more  moved  than  he  cared  to  show.  \ 

Sfie  shrank  away  a  Uale,  feeling  pain,  pity,  einbarrasBnent  B 
lis  p"e&ence.  T^ 

♦'I  arn  unworthy  of  your  conipa-tidnTi— remember  that,  Mmi 
l.!sle.  All  thry  have  irld  yo>i  of  me  is  tiue.  Whatever  l^ 
befillrn  me  is  mented.  1  l^ve  wnwight  my  own  ruin.  And 
If.r  end  is  very  near.  «  Fcuihs  dff^ensus  Avernit*  And  I  am 
U  the  1mm torn  of  the  pit.     Well,  the  descent  at  least  haa  beoa 


let  t^  waters  cii»se  over 


my  head  ;  to  go  (Hit  to  the  ««ile  1 


ittv(»  notiiy  earned;  to  acccfH  u^  fate  and  link  frov 


«• 


:'/*^„".4-' 


3*     * 
J' 


■f 


•74     u^MimrcM  MISS  usbM  rs  trsJKfSRH  «#       , 

nA  when  tike  finale  comcR — a  ihot  in  a  Kunbliitf  htW  mim 
likeir— to  cover  my  hte  and  die"int/^"dignity.     Am  I  tmnw^ 
fwu  with  a  sermon  ?  and  you  shiver,  •rhiie  I  sclftshly  keep  yoo 
here  \j\  the  cold.     n<>n't  waste  your  pity  on  me.  Miss  IJale 
I  don't  deserve  it ;  let  me  ta«e  you  back  to  tht  ball  room. ' 

Shs  was  shivrring,  but  not.with  cold,  and^he  was  very  f»lt 
in  the  gUrinf  gaslight  when  Ishe  re-entered  the  wai  ni  roofBa 
He  r«»8igned  h-r  with  a  lowjbow  to  her  next  partner.  Vm 
ietn  were  hardly  <iry  on  her  long  lashes  yet  as  she  was  wtrutci/ 
awsy  in  the  redowa,  trars  not  ait  i>erhaps,  for  Auce  WaTcn. 

Five  itiinotes  aft«»r  IJeutenant  Eariscourt  quitted  the  ball 
By  the  ftrst  train  neat  mommg  he  quitted  Bnghton,  carry tn| 
»tth  hin  the  meiiiory  of  the  iweet,  imuassioaed  (ace  up9*i 
whfecit  tile  BUn  had  i^ioae. 


- 

t 

^ 

V 

CKArrKu  VI 


\ . 


f^^v 


■r 


IN   VHICH  MISS  USUI  IS  SfiBNHKB  Of.  '     \ 

[ISS  ly ISLE  was  destined  to  have  still  another  tite-i. 

Me  that   roenKnable  ni^t     The  redowa  over,  fthe 

sent  her  partctr  for  an  ice — only  a  pretext  to  get  )fid 

oi  tJm,  howevizr.     The  place  was  stiflingly  warm,  it 

«enped  to  her  now  ;  the  dances  had  been  inteprtiinable,  th« 

oonmonplace  nothings  of  the  young  officer^  injuflerablyrtupid 

She  passed  along  unobserved,  as  she  f5tftcie*|i  to  the  kalf-Ut, 

whoUy  rjlipsented  nmsic-roorn,  an^' throwing  herself  into  a  seal 

ky  the  window,  looked  moodily  oui  at  the  coming  dawiL 

Tlie  8«us  had  set ;  faint  streaks  of  rray  in  the  east  be- 
tokened  the  dawn  of  another  mjrs^ng.  T^ie  baU.  was  breakiuf 
■p  already.  ^ 

Mra.  (lalbralth  was  looking  fm  h«,  no  doubt ;  but  sJie  nevei 
UMiMfht  of  that  Iorg-Hutfi;:n(ig4chaperone.  Her  heart  was  full 
•f  a  greju  jHty  \m  tb4  laian  who  ha<i  gone— ^sentimental  and 
and*w^-.i  v^wi  w^u  «^^ ;  ,|,ut  vm;  was  or  y  eighteen,  and  he 


r 


!»fouft  been  tjxe  hapl<JWF 


•<•  »»ug  Q»^  aii.i  duii  g.4y  r^c*,  he  nitght  hare  fona 
l»klfi«iri»«itfliit  fif-unt  iVli^s  l^ata  «  lecond  Ukni||u»  bat  On 


-i 


[  hril  iiHMt 
m  i  bm^.ni 
y  keep  yoo 
MiM  lJ»)c . 
I  room. ' 
hj  very  p«i« 
uni  ruafB« 
tnei.  Voi 
tvaa  wiivicd 

Wnen. 
tl  the  ball 
«,  c*rrytn| 

face  ap9*' 


zT 


fj'f" 


'-^» 


\ 

thrr  titt-i. 
ever,  khe 
t  to  get  |ri<J 
y  warm,  it 
naWe,  the 
)ly  stupid 
he  half-Ut, 
nto  a  seat 
kwn. 

!r  cast  be- 
I  ttreakiui 

siie  nrvec 
Jl  was  full 
lental  and 
n,  and  he 


Kare  g  on« 


W  Wmca  MtSS,  UStR  IS  DE^OSEL  W.       2JA 

pale,  dark  ikce  waa  dimply  perfect,  and  the  large,  brown  efee 
pathrtic  in  ti:-eit  tUrk.  dreaniv  lustre.,  although  Uieir  owne* 
might  be  tnunrf  on  the  odds  for  the  Derby,  or  whether  thebailiftn 
might  not  pouivce  upon  Kim  the  instant  he  returned  to  l^nduu, 

As  she  Mt  there  lost  in  thought,  a  voice  at  her  elbow  spoke . 

*'  I  have  been  searching  for  you  everywhere,  my  dear  Min 
lis!*.  I  have  come  to  reproach  yij»a— you  have  treated  nM 
with  merciless  crieltf  all  night" 

^e  looked  around  angnly  at  the  sonnd  of  the  voice  she  de 
tested  most     Was  she  nerfr  to  be  rid  of  this  man  > 

*<  I^rd  Montalien  cives  himself  a  gK^  deal  of  unnecessary 
tmuhle,"  she  answered,  in  hei  iciest  voi@e,'  and  ignoring  the  n  • 
proach  altogether. 

"Miss  Lisle,  yoo  have  danced  with  every  man  in  the  roonui 
I  bebeve,  hut  iny«elC     What  have  I  done?" 

"  Nothing  Whatever.  Like  Caesar's  wife,  my  Lord  M<mti»- 
tien  is  al^ve  reproach,", 

"How  bitterly  you  'say  that !     Miss  Lisle,  do  you  hate  me?" 

Miss  Lisle  was  silent,  playing  with  her  (an. 
'     "  I  wiU  rwi*  emlure  this  ! "  hecried,  stung  into  r^al  or  feigned 
passirin.     '-'  Vou  treat  me  like  It  dog,  and  1—1  would  die  foi 
youf"  '  i  i 

Tiulina  raised  her  fan  to  hide  a  dismal  yawn. 

"  Kitremely  heroic  of  yoo,  mrlord.  1  couldn't  think  of  put 
rfng  you  to  any  such  inconvelfemce."      * 

*  Is  this  my  brother's  ^oihg  ?•  i  «''  yo»  an<5  Guy  togethe; 
Ml  t^e  balcony."  - 

"bh  t  you  did  I  I  did  nbt  know  you  had  done  us  the  honor 
of  watching  us ! "  '  •  .  >     . 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  Miss  J[.isle,"  bis  lordehip  said,  witk 
i^Tii'y.     "  Vou  might  have  spared  me  that  gratuitous  affront 
I  tlid  not  watch  you — you  went  out  together  open|y  enoi^h  foi  , 
Ui  in  the  nmsic-rooni  to  see,  if  they  chose.     What  has  Guy 
icen  saying  to  my  discredit  ?  '* 

"  My  lord,  you  /lo  your  brother  scarcely  justice  when  you 
uk  that  question.  Cuy'EarlAiUurt.is  no  cowSud  |o  aub  u 
Ihe  dark."  M  "  ;'   ,.    _ 

"He  has  a  wanti  friend' in  you,  it  would  seem." 

"He  has,"  she  an?wered,  briefly.  ■  ^; 

"Then,  with  all  his  madness,  w:ith  all  his  miserable  reckless- 
tt«<ifc  ha  4a  4tifc  be '  envied.  -y^JU^Hfi^'^hiin  your  friendstepr  **>d 
ypu  shut  me  out  Agaii^  ask.  Miss  iiisle,  What  ta»v?  I  dow  / 
At  ieasi  t  hav«  the  lijigliiiiiw  IIMU I " 


.  V""  "  »"- 


fi^   ■ 


('■»   'I.- 


l-\ 


tf6     B^  wmea  mss  usls  /s  msrosAD  ojJ*.  -  ^^ 

"Ajjd  again  T  answer,  \jtnA  Montalien,"  repliw!  Piallaa 
•trugghng  with  arioincr  vawn— "  nothing  !  Vour  condua  ia 
tvery  phase  of  life  is  exsniplarv.  Will  that  satu/y  you?  1 
bear  Mrs.  Galbraiih  bleating  after  her  lainbkm  in  the  distaac* 
and  must  go."  ' 

"Wait  one  moment  I"  his  lordship  impetuously  exclakaed 
^  •  only  one  insunt  I  I  can  bear  this  suspense  no  lonair  l-^J 
muit  r peak  to-night !     Paulina,  1  love  you  I     Will  you  be  raj 

A  ^J^ y^'^U^"^  her,  his  eyes  gl.>wing.  his  thin.  Fallow  fact 
flushed.  The  excitement  of  the  chase  had  carried  hini  away  • 
her  very  disdain,  hardly  concealed,  spurred  hitn  on.  He 
knew  perfectly  what  her  answer  would  Iw— yet  he  sjMjke. 

She  rose  up  and  looked  at  him,  neither  surpused  nor  embar. 
rassed  ;  then  she  turned  away, 

;>  Vou  h6nor  me  by  your  preference,"  she  said,  in  her  coldesi 
voice.     "  At.the  same  tmie,  I  do  not  think  you  expect  me  tu.. 
£y  anything  but  •  no  ! ' " 

"*"■      iii()ve<l  a  step  away,  but  he  came  before  her,  his  am* 
that  pale  glow  in  his  eyes  stilL 
liss  Lisle,  I  am  to  understand  yott  reject  me  ?  " 
e  bowed  her  head.  . 

You  di)  not  loye  me  ?  "  • 

I  do  not  love  y^u." 
"  But,  Paulina,  pause— think.  I  offer  you  one  of  the  olde*f 
titles  m  England  ;  and  my  position  and  income  are  such  as  to 
prevent  the  most  mahcious  from  calling  me  a  fortune  hunter 
And  1  love  you  to  distraction—  I  would  serve  for  you  as  Jacob 
served  for  Rachel.  1  will  give  you  time,  only  do  noi_do  not 
utierly  r;?>oct  m«." 

His  voice  broke,  he  turned  away ;  his  acting  was  perfect 
but  It  uuis  acung;  and  a  famt,  cymcal  smUe  ctirved  the  ijul's 
neifect  hps.  * 

','  ^yl^^^"  she  said,  and  her  sweet,  clear  voice  rang  silver? 
and  distinct,  "  let  us  undei  stand  each  other.  Vuu  do  not  lovp 
me  whatevtr  your  motive  in  asking  me  to  be  your  wife  My 
feelings  in  regard  to  you  1  have  not  striven  to  conceal  Be- 
fore you  spoke  to  me  you  knew  perfectly  what  my  answcj 
would  be.  I  b-eheve  you  to  be.  in  spite  of  everything  yoy 
kave  said,  the  betrayer  of  Alice  Warren-1  fed  it-1  knlw  it. 
Msurely  as  we  stand  here.  Let  there  be  aji^ejid^of^ihu  i^xv±_ 
ttenratronce  and  forever-^ceasc  to  persecute  me  with  ancB~" 
tMWW  as  onwelcoroe  as  they  are  useiesa." 


ffmm 

--^ 

-V  ,,, 

J 

1 

1 

1 

1 

% 


if 


rl  Pinllst 
:nn(1urt  it 
y  you  f     1 

exfUuraed 
ong6r 1-^) 
yon  be  naj 

I 
allow  face 
uni  away ; 
on.      lifl 
>oke. 
or  embar- 

cr  coldest 
ect  me  tu^^ 

,  his  annk 


the  oldeit 
uch  as  to 
le  hunter 
as  Jacob 
I — do  not 

1  perfect, 
the  gul's 

ig  silvery 
not  lovp 
it'e.  Mj 
t-ul.  Be- 
y  assure 
"ing  yoy 
know  it, 
ihi»  fax  CI 


/¥  WHICH  MISS  LISLE  IS  DISFOSSH  l^P, 


^7K 


i  She  had  fatrlj' roused  him,  fairly  angered  Wm.  as  she  meant  tc 
ii'i'  i"  °*'*"  eiuuity  was  better  than  his  hyi>ocritical  devotion. 
"  lake  care  !  "  he  said,  under  his  bieath,  as  he  always  «Poke 

Jjrhin    really  moved ;    •'  even  you    rioiy  gc  too  far,   laulina. 

Much  as  I  love  you,  even  frotn  you  I  will  not  enilme  insult. 
H  know  nothing  of  Ahce  Warren  or  her  miserable  stocy.     Mi 

*•  Aly  lord,  -wiU  you  let  me  pass  ?    I  repeat  I  hear  Mrs.  Gal 

ijraith'ij  voice." 

"  You  utterly  and  forever  reject  me  ?  " 
"  1  utterly  and  forever  reject  you  1 " 

"W-ll  nothing  move  you— thd  devotion  of  a  life  ?  Think 
agam--J  u'.jjre  you— I  offer  you  «uch  a  position  as  may  neve 

1  i"  Mw  P"  ^^'^'  '^"^  "^  *^  ambmous  as  you  are  beau 
liiul.  Ihmk  once  more  before  you  refuse  to  become  L4»d\ 
Montalien."  '' 

"  If  I  thotjght  for  a  hundred  years  it  would  not  make  on« 
atom  of  ditlercnce.  You  are  right ;  I  arp  ambitious  ;  and  t« 
thr  ..tie  of  Lady  Montalien  I  only  ocject,  because  you  offer  it 
rs  tnat  plain  enough  f     Will  you  let  me  pass  ?" 

He  looked  at  her  with  a  sneeruiu  si«ae,  Lis  arms  still  folded 
across  his  chest. 

"if  (iuy  stood  in  my  place,  you  mean,  and  made  you  the 
aamcoflcr,  your  answer  would  be  very  different." 

"I  nwan  that,  if  you  like.  1  would  a  thousand  times  sooner 
nmry  your  brother,  ruined  as  he  is  this  hour,  than  you.  with 
your  spotless  name  and  ii.nr.aculaie  character.  Let  me  pasa. 
1  command  you,  Lord  M  jnuiien  I" 

Her  eyes  were  flashing  aow— every  nerve  tingled  at  hii 
inecr,  at  hu  insulting  tone. 

"  Pass,  Miss  Lisle,'"  he  saiv! ;  "I  forgive  and  overlook  vow 
Kuelty,  and  wiU  still  venture  to  hope  on.  If  you  knpw  tne 
D^lt*  you  would  know  1  am  not  a  n.an  easily  turned  torn  art 
put  jwse  on  which  I  have  set  my  heart,  and  my  heart  is  set  ten 
It^ongly  on  winning  and  wedding  you.  Will  you  uke  my  va 
to  the  dressing  rtKini?  You  will  not  ?  Ah,  well,  you  are  ex 
Cited  now.  The  day  may  come  when  I  will  repeat  ray  offer. 
and  you  will  listen  more  graciously." 


The  day  will  ju-ver 


tnce. 


come,"  she  retorted,  in  a  blaze  of  deft 


th  atico 


^i!^  'I^  y^"  atldress  siirh  insolent  words  m^mCf 


Montalien  7    V  ou  are  less  than 


word  to  yuij  again  as  long  as  1  hve  I 


man ;  1  will  never  speak 


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vfg    **r  murcjr  miss  usib  /s  dis^osmd  ok. 

lit  only  smfled. 

"  A  Child's  threat,  niy  peerless  Paulina." 

But  sne  had  swept  away  like  aft  outraged  voung  empress,  bei 
»>  ?s  flashing  fire,  her  whole  form  -nstinct  wilh  anger  and  hatri»d 

"A  child's  Lhrcat,"  she  thought,  setting  her  vrLile,  small  teeth. 
"  He  sMl  see  whether  or  no  I  can  keep  a^'^.oman's  vow." 

He  stood  at  the  carriage  door  when  she  reached  it  as  thougb 
ajthing  had  happened,  and  courteously  held  out  his  hand  tc 
usist  her  to  enter.  Her  eyes  flashed  their  (ire  u|)on  him  u 
ihe  reject td  the  help  proflered»  and  sank  back  among  her 
wraps  m  th^  remotest  comer.  ^Us.  Galbraith  followed,  thcD 
Sir  Vane,  and,  to  her  unspeakable  disgust.  Lord  Montalien. 

He  was  completely  himself  again— no  trace  of  ffie  stormy 
scene  in  the  music-room  showed  on  his  placid  face.  He  dis- 
cussed the  baU  witn  Mrs.  Galbraith,  his  brother's  unlookedioi 
appearance  there  with  Sir  Vane,  and  once  or  twice  leaned 
ftnilmgly  forwifird  to  address  a  remark  to  the  sullen  beauty  ift 
the  corner.  Dead  siltnce  followed  those  remarks—Miss  Lisle 
lould  keep  her  word  as  well  as  he.  ••  She  would  never  s^ak 
to  hun  again,"  she  had  said  in  her  pusion ;  it  would  seem  she 
neant  to  keep  hoi  word. 

The  pallid  dawn  was  already  overspreading  the  ^ky  when 
Ihey  reached  the  East  CUftl  His  lortlahip  followed  them  into 
the  house.  Miss  Lisle  and  Mrs.  Galbraith  went  at  once  to 
their  resi>ective  apartments,  and  Sir  Vane,  yawning  wery  much, 
looked  weU  disposed  to  follow ;  but  his  lordship  Uid  his  hand 
familiarly  on  his  shoulder,  and  detained  him. 

"  Rather  an  unseasonable  hour,  1  know,"  he  said,  blandly, 
"but  could,  I  hairc  a  word  with  you  in  private,  Sir  Vane,  before 
you  retire  ?  " 

The  baronet  looked  at  him  in  surprise,  and  led  the  way  to- 
irart*  his  jtudy.  A  fire  burned  in  the  grate,  two  easy  chairs 
were  placed  before  it,  a  i>air  of  waxlighis  burned  on  the  nun- 
«L  By  the  j-  light  the  baronet  saw  that  his  lonlship  looked  ai 
mleXy  awAke,  as  little  sleepy,  as  though  it  had  been  high  noon. 

He  flung  himself  impatiently  into  one  (rf  tne  .arm-chairs,  and 
pulled  out  his  watch. 

"Half-past  five,  MonUlien,"  he  said;  "and  Fm  infemiily 
■lee)^.  Look  sharp  about  it,  will  you,  or  1  shall  be  as  fiut  if 
a  church  before  you  are  half  through." 

"  1  have  no  such  fear,  my  dear  Sir  Vane  ;  yon  will  not  ao  to 

mn.   Cm 


iteep  until  you  have  heard  every  wonji,  j  •««»  guitji 


mi 


XbAlMA,  wbatit  is  I  wish  to  41^ 


...^ 


1^. 


i  OK. 


r  And  hat/CHl 
;,  siiial)  teeth, 
'8  vow." 
I  it  as  though 

his  hand  tc 
i{x):i  him  u 

aiuong  her 
illowcd,  then 
[ontalten. 
r  ftic  storrojr 
ce.  He  di»- 
uniookedloi 
twice  leaned 
en  beauty  iii^ 
—Miss  Lisle 
never  s^ak 
lid  seem  she 

e  iky  when 
k1  them  into 
at  once  to 
{  very  much, 
aid  has  hand 

aid,  blandly, 
Vane,  befwe 

the  way  to- 
easy  cnairs 
>n  the  ntan- 
ip  looked  aa 
A  high  ooon. 
i-chiura,  axkl 

m  infemilljr 
beasfutM  . 


fN  mnCJT  Ml^gS  USLB  IS  Disfoikp, 


^n 


ill  not 


fo  to 


wnie 


''I  am  no  Gi:<lipns  b^ut  I  may  venture  to  lurmisiet,  it 
thing  about  my  ward." 

"  Precisely,  Sir  Vane." 

"  I  noticed  she  cut  you  aead  all  night,  and  in  tlie 
coming  home.     Have  you  and  she  had  a  quarrel?     She's 
devil's  own  temper,  I  believe,  whenherljlood's  up." 

"  Quite  right  in  every  respect,  Sir  Vane.  We  hate  quarreUei^ 
ind  she  has  the  devil's  own  temper.  Now  who  do  you  sup}>oer 
jjie  inlirnts  tKat  unhappy  disposition  from  ?  Not  her  taotliei, 
surely— Lady  Charteris,  it  seems  to  me,  was  the  gentlest  oi 
aci*te«l  lyings.'' 

Ine  bxrooet  rose  from  his  chair — his  4ark  (ace  turning 
yellow. 

"  What  do  you  mean  ? "  he  asked.  "  What  hat  the  name  of 
Lady  Uhartv-^n*  to  do  with  Miss  Lislfe?" 

"  Sit  down,  Sir  Vane  ;  prdy  don't  excite  yourself.  I  merely 
said  Paulipa  must  inherit  her  temper  and  headstrong  disposition 
Vom  RoDert  Lisle.  Lady  Charteris  being  the  most  tracUble  of 
iriyes,  the  most  >'ieldifig  of  women." 

"T>^d  Montalien,  what  am  I  to  understand — ** 

"Thki  1  know  all,''  bis  lordship  interrupted,  tersely.     "That 
iady  Chaiteris — nay,  give  her  her  rightful  name — Mrs.  Rob' 
trt  Lisle,  is  Paulina's  mother  !" 

The  baroneKsank  down  in  his  seat,  livid  with  amazement 
and  constematioit 

•'  By  what  right,"  hp  demanded  hoarsely,  "  do  you  dare  nuke 
this  insinuation  ?  " 

»  By  the  right  of  knowledge,  by  the  nght  of  truth,  Paulina 
Lisle  is  the  eliJer  daughter  ^d  heiiess  of  L'je  lady  tibe  world 
thinks  your  wife.  Thinks,  only,  for  she  has  never  fairly  one 
second  really  been  tliaL  RobcVt  I'isle  is  her  husband.  Pau  , 
lina  Lisle  is  her  daughter  and  hdress,  as  I  said,  and  fOiK 
daughter  is — " 

lie  paused.  Sir  Vane  sprang  from  his  chair  OQt«  more,  i 
very  devil  of  fury  in  either  eye. 

"  If  you  dare  I "  he  cried,  "  I  will  throttle  you  wheie  yoo 
sit" 

"Then  I  will  not  dare,"  returned  Lord  Montidieh,  witn  Wi 
quiet  smile,  that  was  like  oil  thrown  ujion  fire.  "  Sit  down,  Sii 
Vane,  sit  down,  and  don't  you  lose  your  temper,  ai  well  t» 
youi  ward.  It  is  only  a  weak  nian's  foily — a  wise  one  never 
~npennit«  himself  to  get  angry.  STt  down,  and  let  ttl  taOl  tfib 
«wter  out  quietly  and  clearly  if  we  can.     1  hum  yon  would  kc 


4*-» 


J,        -. 


,1 


Oo 


m-  ■'  ' 


m  mncBiirss  uaji  js  otsrosao  #,. 


:»      AIL         ■  1^**''' """"*' by  promise  nevpr  tn  r»^.#.« 

•P,  aware  of  .h.  whole  i,^'  »"»P«"<i  of  "owing  ,1,  .uitec' 

Lyndith,  and  try  if  y^u  can  recoUect  a "1^^^  vallffn  K*"'' 
menace,  by  name  James  Porter-  ^  ***"*  *°  *"* 

The  baronet  gave  one  inarticulate  gasp  at  the  name. 

in  liX^e  ho^i'  ?,  in         ^  "^''*  *"^  '^*^  deposition  hi  made 
^ro  y^  '  \"  ^'y  possession  at  present.     I  onlv 

h^n  IfT^";*"'  '"^'^  **  '  ^•'^  »he  late  Mr.  Lynd  th  To 
^n  shou^  be  so  weak  as  to  mtn.st  this  kind  of  ^cret  fo-^ 

J^u^Il  finX       '    "■  'r"""  *^'"  ""*^°"«-     The  lower Tii^I 

K  i's:l*nrth%™'5i"!rdtr:?r  ,-r  t^- 

breast  of  the  wf,oleiffair.  P^ntr  S  Bv  i '  ''^^^'^  '  ^^^ 
-«ne  of  those  accidents  ^^r  ^fe'theles'o"  'SxT:^l 
came  upon  hm.  in  his  dying  hours,  and  tcl^Jdown  hifd^^ 
hon.     I  have  that  document   safe.     I  wonder  wha     rS^ 

T>isle  or — vour  wife let  ...  /.,n  u  """ucr  wnai    Kocert 

for  it  ?     v«       '"^e—let  us  call  her  your  wife— woulj  not  irire 

i^l^  you  ,«.,"  0..  b«»«.  «M  in  U..  «« 
1^  1  want  to  marry  Paulina  I.isle." 
«  wITc"  V*""  ^!  '"'*""*  °f  ''*<ly  Charteris  ?  •• 


made, 
w|M^ 


ina  to  many  aie 
**  ComiMsl  I " 


nr  wmcH  miss  usi^t$^^  disposed  9F,     %%i 

"Compel — nothing  bat  corapolsion  wfll  ever  make  he*"  do 
it  She  hiites  me,  and  makes  no  secret  of  her  hatretl.  I  have 
srt(  my  heart  on  winning  herr— I  Will  !nove  heaven  and  eajth  tu 
do  it,  and  I  will  look  to  yan  to  aid  nie.^ 

"My  lo^d,  this  is  the  nineteenth  century.  Young  girli 
•re  not  forced  into  marrying  men  the/  hate,  even  by  vMaM 
|uu  dians."  / 

"  Sir  Vane  Charteris,  it  was  the  nineteenth  century  whea 
Olivia  Ljudith  was  forced  by  her  gtuu-dian  tc  marry  a  man 
^e  hated  I  What  was  done  sixteen /years  ago  can  be  done 
again."  ^       /  ' 

The  dark  blood  rose  up  over  ^e  baronet's  face.  It  wai 
a  moment  before  he  could  conunand  his  rage  sulfidently  to 
speak. 

"  That  was  different — she  had  a  motive,  and  her  uncle  kept 
her  in  solitary  confinement  until  she  was  ready  to  consent  to 
anything." 

"Her  uncle,  I  repeat,  was  a  clever  maiL  Emulate  his  ex 
ample,  my  dear  baronet.  Do  as  Hie.  did — try  foul  means  if 
liir  will  not  answer.  Solitary  confinement  will  have  the  same 
Krhulesoine  effect  upon  the  daughter  it  had  upon  the  mother. 
There  is  your  place,  •  The  Firs ' — solitary  enough  and  dreary 
enough  fot;>any  prison,  Mrs.  Galbraith  saysu  Take  her  down 
•Jiere  ;  keep  her  there  until  she  yields." 

"  lx)rd  Momalien,  it  cannot  be  done.  She  has  the  obstinacy 
of  the  deuce,  an^  the  cunning  of  the  (}amon.  We  might  keep 
her  shut  up  ther^  for  months,  and  she  would  not  yield ;  and 
what  would  the  world  say  ?  " 

"  What  will  the  world  say  when  I'  discover  Lady  Charterii/ 
idding-place,  and  give  her  the  papers  I  hold  ?  What  will  the 
world  say  when  the  conspiracy  of  the  late  Geoffrey  Lyndith 
eomes  to  light?"  ' 

*'  A  conspiracy  in  which  I  had  no  part" 

]/Ord  Montalien  smiled  grimly. 

"  Robert  Lisle  was  in  the  church  upon  the  day  of  your  mar 
(iage,  and  you  saw  him  face  to  fa<  e.     Six  o'clock." 
.  lie  pauied  until  the  last  chime  vibrated,  and  then  arose. 

"  I  will  not  detain  you  from  your  needful  rest  a  moment  I<m 
g^.  Sir  Vane.  You  will  think  over  this  matter,  and  will  do  as  I 
nggest,  1  am  sure.  Bring  all  the  influence  you  and  your  sistef 
possinatOL  bear  Jipon  thisLwil&ilgirL;^  Jet^faiit^iueans  be  theiL: 
ontil  patience  ceases  to  be  a  virtue,  llien  take  her  t« 
'The  Fin.'    1  will  go  wirtt  foa ;  nifht  tad  <la|  I  eluUl  piaM 


I  ''*.  h^Aif^-jA. 


-<irT^ 


Iff 


s8a     /i^  wmc9  miss  uslm  is  msposed  m, 

my  suit,  until,  a«  constant  dropping  wears  a  stone,  she  rie^ 
at  length"  ' 

The  baronet  arose,  too.  The  daylight  stealing  throofk 
the  curtains  aiid  struggling  with  the  waxlights,  fell  pJe  on  tbeii 
pale  fisces. 

"Lord  Montallen,  why  do  you  wish  so  strongly  to  nuirv 

this  girl?" 

♦♦  Rather  a  delicate  question.  Because  I  lore  her,  of  coursci 
Ifou  don't  believe  that  Well,  here's  another  reason  for  yon— 
1  want  to  marry  her  decau»g  I  wantto  niairy  her.  She  hatei 
nse,  she  scorns  me  !  Let  her  !  P'shall  tame  that  pride- yet, 
bring  her  to  her  knees,  humble  her  to  the  dust  1  love  her,  I 
admire  her,  and  I  hate  her  altogether.  I  am  determined  to 
many  her  in  spite  of  .fate,  in  spite  of  hersel£  Sir  Vane  Char, 
teris,  I  wish  you  gooa-moming  1 " 
♦•  Mrs.  Galbraith,  who  is  to  take  us  to  the  concert  to-night  ?' 
Miss  Lisle  looked  up  from  Lf  Follet  to  ask  this  question.  \ 
was  the  evening  succeeding  the  ball.  Dinner  was  over,  and 
for  a  wonder,  IvOrd  Montalien  had  not  dined  at  the  East  Qifl 
ITje  cosey  Brighton  drawing-room  was  a  pretty  picture,  with  iti 
silken  hangings,  niby-hued  ;  its  Axniinster  caqiet,  its  prool 
engravings,  its  hot-house  flowers,  its  gloning  coal-Are,  and  its 
softly  abundant  gaslights.  Outside  the  .wintry  stars  shone  frostly 
Bi  the  deep  blue,  and  the  wintry  wind  whistled  shrilly  up  from 
flie  dark,  wide  sea.  * 

The  belle  of  Bnghton,  nestling  in  a  low  dormouse  before  the 
fire— for  she  loved  warmth  like  a  tropical  bird— in  the  f(i.l  glow 
of  the  leaping  light,  looked  fresh  as  a  rose,  and  quite  as  lovely, 
Mrs.  Galbraith,  shrouded  in  Chantilly  lace,  and  reading  also, 
laid  down  hei  high-church  novel,  and  Miss  Maud  Charteris,  at 
the  piano,  ceased  singing  to  hear  the  answer. 

"  Yesterday  morning,"  pursued  the  heiie^  "it  was  decided 
we  were  to  go  with  Sir  Vane.  Twd  hours  ago  Sir  Vane  left 
fcy  the  express  train  for  London.  Now,  who  u  to  ^e  oi  ts 
She  concert  ?  " 

The  concert  of  which  the  young  lady  spoke  was  a  concert  d 
■we  than  usual  interest  for  her.  Her  love  foi  music  amounted 
to  a  passion,  and  to-night  the  Signor  Carlo  Kriellson  was  to 
aaake  his  first  appeara.ice.  Her  heart  had  been  set  upon  goinc- 
M  the  lady  in  Chantilly  lace  very  well  knew.  ^ 

"Lord  Montalien,  of  course,"  she  said,  in  her  smooth,  evea 
ywo  \  "  I  eafiect  luin  every  troment ;  and  iisilfrnn 
«|h^  end  quite  tiuw  to  dreaa." 


'V 


3  ojr. 

nCf  ihe  jrieUk 

alinff    Uuoufk 
1  pale  on  tbeii 

Dgly  to  nuan 

her,  of  coanci 
Jon  for  yna — 
r.  She  hatei 
that  pride^yet, 
I  love  her,  I 
letermined  to 
r  Vane  Char/ 

nt  to-ru'ght  ?' 
>  question.  II 
ras  over,  and 
iie  East  Cliil 
cture,  with  itt 
l>et,  its  proof 
il-Are,  and  iti 
I  shone  frostly 
iriDy  up  from 

ise  before  the 
I  the  fu'A  glow 
lite  as  lovely, 
reading  also, 
Charterii,  «i 

was  decided 
Sir  Vane  left 
to  take  Of  t« 

I  a  concert  M 
sic  amounted 
Uson  was  to 
t  upon  goinr. 

Bsooth,  evea 


isr  wmcB  MISS  lisle  rs  otsposed  ow. 


2%l 


Miss  Listens  eyes  fell  once  morr  upon  the  pages  of  Le  FtttA 
and  Miss  Lisle's  lips  set  themselves  in  that  resolute  line  that 
ws.  Galbraith  very  well  krew  meant  "break-rs  ahead" 
^  "Paulina,  dear,  you  heard  me?"  in  her  most  dulcet  tones 
•  Maud,  ring  for  Pauhna's  maid.  It  is  time  to  drefs  'or  the 
toncert.  There  will  be  such  a  crush,  that  it  is  best  to  be  early ' 
"Don't  trouble  yoursj'j;  Maud,"  said  Paulina,  quicllv  ;  "  i 
*Ai!  not  go."  ^  "^ 

"Not  go,  Paulina?" 

PauUna  laid  down  Le  Follet,  and  looked  across  at  hdh  du 
perone  with  steady  blue  eyes. 

"  I  shall  not  go,  Mrs.  (lalbraith.  More— I  wiir  never  gp 
anywhere  again  with  Lord  MoniaUen.  If  he  had  come  here  to 
duje  to-day,  I  should  have  left  the  table.  It  is  quite  out  of  mt 
power  to  forbid  him  the  house,  or  Sir  VaE^s  box  at  the  theatre 
or  you  from  picking  him  up  whenever  we  go  out  to  drive,  but 
what  IS  in  my  power  to  do  1  wUl.  It  shall  be  no  fault  ol 
mine,  if  people  couple  our  names  together.  I  told  Lord  Mon- 
tolien  last  night  pretty  plainly  what  I  tho.:ght  of  him— now  I 

I  '^'"■v  "***  '"^^  ™y  **'''"*  "^^^^  *"y  difference  in  youi 
plans.V  You  and  Maud  are  both  dying  to  go  to  the  d^but  of 
his  new  Mano.     Go,  by  all  means— I  shall  not !" 

And  then  she  went  back  to  Le  FolUt.  All  Mrs.  Galbraith 
could  say  was  of  no  avail  Miss  Lisle's  ultimatum  had  been 
spoken,  all  the  eloquence  of  men  and  angels  would  not  have 
moved  her. 

Lord  Montalien  called,  and  Mrs.  Galbraith  and  Maud  went 
He  listened,  with  his  cahn  smile,  to  the  story  of  PauJna's  head- 
strong caprice 

"As  the  queen  pleases,"  he  said  with  a  shrug;  "a  litUe  • 
aolitide  will  do  her  no  harm.     In  half  an  hour  she  will  be  fran 
he  that  she  has  not  come." 

Would  she?  The  L.jtaAt  the  carriage  drove  away  Paulina 
hnq-ed  up,  flung  Le  FolUt  z.cjo%%  the  room,  and  rang  a  peaS 
fcr  her  maid  that  nearly  broke  down  the  beiL  ^^ 

"Quxk,  Jane,"  she  <;ried  r"  dress  me  in  two  minutes,  an^ 
make  me  as  pretty  as  ever  you  can."  '^' 

w3'"^V^^  '^"^  dancing  now.'    It  was  Uttlc^  wild,  mischievooi 
PoJy  Mason  once  more. 

"Janewasj  w-il-trained  English  lady's-maid,  and  nothing 
todrr  the  canopy  oTfieaven  ever  surprised  her.  She  diftog 
^  young  mistr-ss  in  ten  minutes,  and  to  perfection.  Panlins 
looked  ailicncif  »ih»  ^Ims,  and  sr.w  that  the  flowing  pi^  silk, 


4' 


.*^ 


304     t»  wmca  Mtss  usti.  is  djsjvsmd 

•nd  Ac  long  trailing  clustei  of  liKes  b  her  golden  haix   irerc 
«qiasue      Diamond  drops  sparkled  in  her  Sarsjsoft  UJoao. 

TOse-silk,  her  bouquet  of  hlies  and  blush  roses  kj  «drbf  wk 
Uhe  looked  hke  a  lily  herself-tall,  shm,  Cur.        ^  ""'  °^  "*** 
.   "Now  my  opera  cloak.     Quick,  Jane." 
Jane  flung  it  over  her  shoulders,  and  the  hotod  ovei  her  )-^«4 

^:^^  !![  ""^  ^"  8^''^^''  «^'^«^«d  "P  her  shi,nm«rin, 
•Uken  train,  and  swept  out  of  the  house  with  that  dancing  iidB 
m  hereyes,  that  provoking  smile  on  her  hps.  *  ^^ 

bhe  tnpped  down  the  front  steps  and  along  the  lamp-lit  street 
fr^  a  few  yards.  Then  she  rang  the  beU  ofa  large  ho Jse/iS 
ras  a»lmittt^  by  a  footman.  8^  uuuw,  ana 

**w^'^''  -^'^herly  at' home?"  she  asked, 
fhrl^r"  *^"|i"»'"  exclaimed  a  lady,  in  the  act  of  crossing 
^r^\  K  ^"k  '^"''"8  dress- "here  I  alone  I  and  at  uS 
hour!  /thou<?bt  you  were  gomg  to  the  concert?" 
nnr  S*.  i^T*  !'  ^^J^'  Atcherly,  if  you  will  take  me  ?  I  would 
no  miss  It  for  a  Ir  mgdom.  You  are  aU  ready,  1  see-how  fortu^ 
nate  i  am  not  to  h«.  too  late."  •^^^j— now  lortu- 

"  But,  my  love— Mrs.  Galbraith— " 

rnftir  ^^'^^f »»  ^^^  gone,  and  Maud  and  Lord  Montalien. 

wh^.^    I^K  ^^^*^"^5^,  *<*  »he  carriage.     On  the  way  Fauliw 
whispered  the  story  of  her  ^subordination  into  the  elder  lad?I 

"  K»ir  know  how  I  detest  Ty»rd  Nfontalien.  Mrs.  Atcherlv    1 
CMildn't  go  with  h;.„,  a..d   I   ^ould  die-yes,  I  shouW  i/ 

gII^^^I  ''°n  *'^*  '^^ro'brained  dan^seL    What  a  .lecture  Mra 
ixalbraith  will  read  you  to-morrow ! "  ^ 

fte  first  act  as  the  Atche^ly  party  swent  along  to  their  box.     Stt 
.J??i*  T^^^T^t^  opposite,  and  the  gksses  of  Urd  Montauw 

ll!l5^5"'''^'  *•'*"  '*^"  '^"8^^^^  "P^"  '^^^ked  Paulina. 
my  e^.  "'^^^''''"  ^''^  ^*^*»^*^^  «'»?«*»'  "«"  1  belies 

1^  Montalien  burst  out  laughing.    Though  thf  joke  t^UL 
^l^^him,  yet  Mrs.  Galbraith' sfiul  of  JkST^  .^J^ 


IM  wmcK  mrss  uslb  is  dtsposmd  op,     ^u 

J^\t\M  Paulin.l"  cried  the  lad,.     "Lord  MonuKen,  k  I 
possible  you  can  laugh?"  M»ucn,  mi 

"  I  beg  one  thousand  pardons,"  the  peer  said  itill  lai»hhi. 
••It  «  the  best  joke  of  the  sea2,nj  A^XwidVihe  w  aS^^ 
b«ut'.fiil  than  ever  I  saw  her !  "  ^        ,  ^^ 

♦'  She  has  the  grace  at  least  not  to  look  this  way'    How  daw 

%i  H*^  r-"''^''"'  ^  '^'"8 '     ^  '*'•"  "*^^"  fofgi^*^  her." 
IT  ^^»«  ;o^K"'-«%»l^  the  house  turned  to  the  Atcherly  box^ 

Ti  '  .^T'       ^  '""^s  "eft  his  seat  in  the  stalls  and  joined  her 

uon  was  kept  up.  fheu  Miss  I. isle  flung  her  bouuue*  to  th* 
^ccessful  tenor  atjd  took  the  Guardsman'Lrni  to  the  ca.W 
Jc^'Mrs.  Atcherly,"  she  sa.d  laughingly,  "your  eoodnes^^ 
Mdens  n.e  to  ask  still  an.aher  Lor^  ^\viryou^nep  me  S 
Itel  .'^^^*^f»'^  -f  ^'-  ^-'b-ith  sleeps  on'her  w^I^T^ 
fall  less  heavily  upon  me  to-morrow.^'  ^      T^ 

Aliss  I  .isle  did  not  return  home  all  njght     Next  moniinff  Sir 

•lore  grim  than  he  as  he  led  her  home  ^ 

"And  now.  Miss  Lisle,"  he  asked  sternl,;  "may  I  domand 

an  explanation  o^  this  disgraceful  conduct  ?"-^       omaaaa 
"  Disgraceful,  Sir  Vane  I     I  don't  quite  s«e  that ;  I  went  to 

the  concert  because  I  wanted  to  go  to  the  co,ft:ert  and  Id  H 

Mcort.     i  hope  that  is  satisfactory  I " 

«4\acefu"  ••   '*'^^'°'>''  ^  '«l^*t  it  J  J^  conduct  has  beer\ 
"  Su  Vane,  you  may  usr  that  word  once  too  often.     Neithei 

M,T.'l    t"'"?'!;  •^o"'"""'',  that  you  shall  .«ep?h^"  "^ 
M.M  l,,s|;  siiuled  quietly  and  took  a  seat 
lA)rd  Montalien  has  laid  a  coiiiplaint-aKiiiMt  me  ku  h<^ 


V' 


*k,"««^    l>i,iv>  ■..f,!*^ 


i 
iiiif 

■i 


396     «r  wmc^r  m/ss  l/slj^  /s  disposed  or. 

m  I  1  w|||  never  step  across  his  thieshold,  or  sit  at  lh«  umt 
toble  with  him.  1  will  not  go  down  to  Montalien  at  Chn^itmas 
1  hope  M^^is  conclusivel " 

u, »*''?*"  ^*^  "**'"  ^"^*^  ^"  guardian,  white  with  anger 
- -UntU  you  do  speak  to  him,  sit  at  the  same  table  with  lum 
and  consent  to  marry  him,  you  shall  remaii.  in  your  roow 
watched.  The  escapade  of  last  night  sJ.all  not  occur  anic 
Sohfary  confinement,  perhaps,  will  teach  you  obedience,     N(nt^ 

_  Miss  Lisle  rose  at  once.  He  had  expected  an  outbi.rst  rk 
mdignant  protest  and  passion,  but  who  was  to  judge  this  giil  ? 
*e  got  up  with  a  provoking  sniile  on  her  face,  and  walk«?d 
straight  out  of  the  room.     In  the  doorway  she  paused. 

'*  1  have  only  one  request  to  make,"  she  said,  still  with  thai 
provokmg  smile;  '^ilea&e  doa't  feed  nje  on  bread  and  water 
I  shouldn't  like  to  grow  any  thinner,  and  do  be  kind  to  pooi 
Uttle  Pandore  [her  poodlej.  For  the  rest,  Sir  Vane,  1  hear  bu^ 
to  obey." 

She  went  up  to  her  rooms.  She  had  three  on  the  sunny 
southern  side— be<lroom,  dressing-room,  and  sitting-room, 
ohe  glanced  around.  Heaps  of  books  and  magazines  were 
ever^rwhere,  heaps  of  Berlin  wool,  and  bead-work,  heaps  o« 
music,  and  a  piano.  She  rang  the  bell,  and  when  her  maid 
came  she  peeped  out  through  a  crevice  in  the  door. 

"Jane,"  she  said  with  solemnity,  »  I'm  a  prisoner  here,  and 
lO  prevent  the  possibility  of  my  escape  I  am  going  to  lock  my 
^If  in  I     You  will  fetch  me  my  meals,  and  when  you  want  ai.v 
Uung,  lane,  you  will  rap,  you  know,  and  tell  me  through  th<i 

Sir  Vane  had  followed  her  and  heaxd  every  word  of  this  whim 
ucal  speech. 

"  What  is  to  be  done  lith  roch  a  girl  as  that?"  the  baione 
demanjle^  of  his  sister;  "she  is  afraid  of  nothing— impriM* 
ment—sobtude— nothing,  I  say.     Hear  'ler  now  .  "' 

Miss  l.isle  was  seated  at  her  piano,  and  her  hiih.  sweet  lirA 
ing  echoed  through  the  house. 

"  Paulina  Lisle  is  dangerous,"  Mrs.  Galbraidi  said  with  eM 
phasis ;  "  that  |;irl  is  capable  of  anything  when  faUy  arouMd' 

Mra.  Galbraith  was  right  She  and  her  brother  wer*  speedilii 
IP  leani  of  what  Paulina  Lisle  was  capable  f 


D  OP. 

lit  at  th<  Mm« 
at  Christmas 


•M  ifSW  WAV  TO  PAY  OLD  DMBTX*  %pf 


V        « 


■  with  9nger 
ble  with  Wm 
n  your  roon 
occur  agaic 
lienoe,     Nait 

n  outbtifst  ^i 
dge  this  gill? 
\  and  waik<>d 
used. 

still  with  thai 
L(l  and  water, 
kind  to  pooi 
le,  I  hear  bu/ 

>n  the  su:injf 
sitting-room, 
gazines  were 
rk,  heaps  ol 
en  her  maid' 
r. 

ler  here,  an(| 
;  to  lock  my 
ou  want  ai<v 
through  thti 

of  this  whim 

the  banme 
B[7-riuipnM« 

,  sweet  «ir  j 


lid  wiiA 
y  arou*ed.' 


'oom. 


CIIAFTEK   VII 


"A  KIW  WA»   TO  I'AY  OL0    fsBTB."  , 

was  the  twentieth  of  December. 
Francis,  J^rd  Montalien,  rose  fron;  die  luxnikm 
dinner  in  his  bachelor  apartments,  prepared  by  a  firgl 
rate  Frmch  artist,  and  walked   into   his  reception 
Lord  Montahen's  lodgings,  on  the  sminy  side  of  St 
lames  street,  were  lather  more  luxurious,  if  possible,  than  the 
apartments  of  a  young  duchess.     Miser  he  might  be,  as  Paul- 
uia  I. isle  had  called  him,  but  certainly  not  where  his  own  com* 
fort  and  giatification  were  concerned.     Velvet-piled  carpet* 
Florentine  bronzes,  richest  hangings  a  profusion  pf  hpi-housr 
flowt-rs  in  the  windows  and  on  ^e  tables,  frescoed  medallioa 
of  flowers  and  fruits  on  the  waili^  costly  furniture,  in  white  and 
gold,  books,  pictures,  bronzes,  vases,  cabinets,  everything  tf 
gratify  the  eye,  that  wealth  coiild  purchase,  w is  her?.     Rudd 
fires  blazed  on  every  hearth,  wax-lights  burned  softly  in  all  the 
rooms,  and  outside  the  December  snow  drifted  in  a  white  wil^v 
deniess,  and  the  December  wind  wildly  blew. 

His  lordship  was  dressed  in  deep  mourning,  but  in  his  gleam- 
ing eyes,  and  over  his  whole  face,  thcgluj^lowed  an  exultaiT 
light  ol  joy  and  triumph.  He  had  be#lftnking  more  deeph 
than  was  his  wont,  for  he  was  most  abitemious  ail<f  his  Uiin, 
1>ale  face  was  fluslied,  and  a  pcrpetuil  imile  hovered  exultanU* 
aboRt  hts  lips.  ' 

"Everything  triumphs  with  n^e,"  he  cried;  " everything | 
WT»ei.  Paulina  is  my  wife  I  shaU  ,have  nothing  icft  to  wish  foil 
Ilear-ns  !  how  I  love  that  girl  I  Her  beauty,  and  her  devilish 
pfide,  and  pluck,  and  oJ[)stinacy^  have  bewitched  my  senses, 
I  believe  I  would  marry  her  if  slie  had  not  one  farthing.  1  shaV 
^-osper  in  my  love  as  I  have  pro8|>ered  in  my  hate  I  Ah  i  my 
biilltant  Ctuy  Farlscourt,  hqiw  is  it  with  you  fum/" 

He  paced  up  and  down  the  exqt^site  rooni,  that  diabolical 
■nUe  of  exultaron  still  wreathing  his  thin^ sinister  Ups.  He 
had  but  come  from  a  funeral  a  few  hours  be^re,  die  fonera)  ol 

^Reh^graBd«ttnt^  Mtss.EarlscourL    AfterSe  tewmT^e  wiB^ 
bad  been  read  in  the  lawyer's  office,  the  will  that,  to  the  utf^ 
ol  everybody,  save  the  \mtt  and  Irg»^ull  even 


p^j^\<i.    -<!v..jJ-*  aK.  — 


¥^ 


II" 


t  A  I 


i 


ii'! 


tSg'         "^  ^*^  ^AY  TO  PAY  OLD  DEBTS.''^ 

In  thai  hour  of  tnuioph  the  elder  brother  had  cast   in  snit/ 

W  «  hi.  banker's.     And  Lord  MonS.en  h^  se    H.s  tee  ""SI 

M.  in waM  oath-be  could  not  con.iuerh.nJ.„i,eho^^^^^^ 
downfall  he  rose  above  hiin  sti"  "  '  ™' 

^'Curse    h.ml"  he    l,.ssed;**"I  aUvays  Med  him  for  rfi. 

d <i    rfatr,cun*Wauty  km\    Iann.-(.r    hi»  «/r«Il/T         ? 

women  call  u,  and  h.sinsuffer^ble^i  olefcV  ahdl  Lffh^' 
.rore  now.  in  hi.  utter  dow,»fall.  than  I  o  e  du]  be  o  e  V  I 
he^were  here,  d.t  1  nugh.for  o..ce  thro.::^  I'iifS;  andTet 

.        The  master  he  lerved  seemed  inclined  to  let  him  have  hi. 

«iape,  when  the  door  was  rtung  oi>en   and   \ ...   J.!      ^  t  I 
chambers  announced  "Mr.  KalcoS"         '"*  *^'""'"  ^^  ^' 
Lord  Mont^hen  paused  in  his  walk,  and  crosMng  over  to  tfie 
chininey.piece,  leaned  his  arm  uiwn  it,  and  I(H)*«t T.M  1?  k 

Guy  came  tjlowly  forward,  and  stood  directly  opnosit.;  in  b,« 
Jtthe  ofher  end  of  tbe  mantel.  He  too  wJre'E^.'^A^i 
ace  was  very  grave,  very  haggard,  very  pale      F)iTt    TVi 

2;;S""hi'  ■  ?ff  "I  "'"  ^^^^"^'^  -^  -'-  ■  hi  brlhir  2 
fe  S^.  .f^  r  'f n*r-  "'^  ''^^'^'^^  handsomer.  nob?er  now 
taJMS  uttei  dowTifall,  beyond  all  comparisor,  than  the  wca  "n, 

i:ri;;:;rci  i'tr^'**  ^  ^*°"^^^°-  ^^^  *•—  ^i-tij; 

nJlT!"'  ^"y:'^^«  *>fK»"  "'ov/ly.  «  and  so  the  worst  ha.  c«nc. 

IU,T  yoa  visaed  me  to  congratt»^te  n,e,  or  to  ask  .nr  .^^^ 

^or  your  own  great  nj^s.ortune  ?     Who  wo«ld  lave^CS 

^^Ucourt  ,,ouJd  have  had  the  heart  to  dasiiSerit  iSX 


^ 


T^  nipckinir  tone,  the  exultant  look.^,  indew:,^,^^^ 


';w<i.-;:..----i-if;.-i"^v--^  ■■ 


rs.'^ 

^H  MoTitab*en 
buy  a  mourn. 
t?<!!y  ijaid,  thf 
►ught  disgrace 

cast,  in  spite 

ant  lie  heard 
Imiked  as  w.   ^ 
"  a  million  or 
His  teeth  with  ^ 
e  hour  of  hi»  " 

him  for  "^j 
to/>/f,  a»-the 
I  I  hate  him 
fore,  r  virish 
lask,  and  leU 

lim  have  his 
arrely  taken 
ooiii  of  the 

over  to  tlic 
'  full  at  his 
:ilace.  He 
h^  nfan  he* 
ore  hirn,  in 

sitt!  10  kiim, 
Jiimii.^,  hjs 
a?k  ci/cles 
broih.«r  m) 
"bidr,  nun 
le  wealtn), 
ii^lscou/t 

hucntne, 
'ny  sympft. 
vt  thought 
erit  hei  l» 


'■^  -1  «     -*ii-    *%.  -» 


???r!!'^*?P^'''  ^"^^  "^  '«>^«<J  'teadUy  M;ros«  *t  him 
•      ,*«[;.'  it  ka.  your  la.t  hoi      P    ;i"  ^'"T*    '^.*=  "^^^^  ^^^ 

"  ^<i  yt'i.  you  renienfbcr  aftef  our  father*.  /!-.♦».  r  .  i^ 
to  come  to  ,ne  ,n  your  hour  of  need  and  I  wonwV  ^l^  *"* 
Sou  were, your  father'*  fau^ri,     /'  "'*'**  **•'•*  X*"*- 

infehe  loVecl;  herffySrX^ehllJ;  ^^  ^  the  «,n  of^d,. 
h^  would  feel  iV  he  slw  ^u  ^I/'^       °  *'*'"•     ^  "^^"  ^^^ 

A.:d^s  ^^ui::^::;';^  -  ^^^r?r"'t^  r  j;^- 

parse  or  your  brotherly  affection  v^i^^!.  Lt^  ''°"^'*^**  ^"^ 
he's  ,lown  is  in  very  bad  ^fr J  ^A  ^'^^ '*  ™"'nft  *  nian  when 
neither  co.ne  hereZnuTht  ^,r  *'       '^^^'^  >«*«  "of  it.     I  have 

^      bownu,choLir.rTwol«trr'^^"°'"r*      "^"^^ 
Kou  why  I  Aa:rrcJ„;^  J^^  ^^^^  °'  ^^»«^«=  ^o^t     Shall  J  teM 

^^Xllir^l^r^J'^'r'}  ^^n»  on  the  W  of  you,  ' 
tTknowr-  ^e*^<i,^ncnca  ?    I  .hould  really  &c 

of-Ah^e  vwr-'  '"^  "^  ^--^^;  I  came  to  .^ak  to  you' 

it.d  her  in  iarton  st^et     """  ^'^  ""^  ^*  "«^»  he  h*d^ 

vvZ;7o!b:uh'"it';  do'vT*  *"  ^*'>  "^'-*  »-'ah* 

.as.-on  .nistressef  when  you  ^g^llLT"  "*  '"  ^^'  -^^  ^ 

nan's,   I  believe    n  ml  i^f,?     xZ/""'^'?  '^  '"'"•^"^  "I 
lCDr.Ddrel  who  has  lJdwL„!       ;!?  '^'^  **•  ^^^  •'C    thi   . 
Hei.  aic  (Jilt  mv  lord  .  \ i  k  '^     ^'  ""'^'^^rromise  of  inmiage.    . 

^  w*r  <or  iV  great  Z^^^^  ««n<^  »  «,me 

_^V.ot.Ta4X7rLU"';^'^Zi"do;^^^^^^  I?^^ 


i  tl»il  ^^o  precisely  aa  I   plea.eS,  tliii^..  b.aU 


OdMl 


*      ■♦* 


i  j 


t^  , 


A 


990 


*»4  MEW  W4Y  ro  fAY  919  DMMTK' 


vfrn 


Ihinf B.  It  18  refreshing,  really,  to  hear  yo\i,  of  all  ro«n,  tlie 
defendei  of  female  innocence,  of  foiled  doves,  uxxh  as  Alice 
Wanen." 

"  At  lei^t  no  innocent  girl's  ruin  lies  at  mjr  door,  nc>  dua'j 
beb[iyaL  I  repeat,  if  you  have  one  spark  of  manhood  left,  yo« 
vilf  atone  for  the  wrong  you  have  dune  her." 

*'  As  how  ?  "  with  h)s  sneering  smile ;  "  by  a  real  marriage  i 
make  the  bailiff's  daughter  my  i«ady  Montalien  ?  May  I  a<fc 
when  you  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  lady  last,  and  if  sb< 
couuuissioned  you  to  come  here  and  |)Jead  her  case  f  " 

^*  1  saw  her  two  hours  ago,  and  she  conunissioned  me  to  do 
nothing  of  the  sort  1  was  walking  along  the  Strarid  with  (tua 
'  Stednian,  and  we  came  face  to  face  with  poor  Alice.  I  should 
not  have  known  her — she  has  become  such  a  wretched  shadow 
of  herself.  If  ever  a  heart  was  brokq^,  1  beUeve  hers  to  be. 
By  Heaven,  Frank,  it  is  a  cruel  shame — if  ^ou  had  murdered 
her  in  cold  blood  you  could  not  be  more^ilty  than  you  aie  !" 

The  sneering  smile  never  left  the  other's  face,  though  he  was 
pallid  with  suppressed  passion.  He  took  up  his  cigar-case,  and 
lit  a  Manilla,  though  his  hands  shook  as  he  did  it 

"An)  she  told  you,  no  doubt,  a  piteous  story  of  my  betrayal 
and  my  baseness — or  is  all  this  accusation  but  the  figment  oi 
your  own  lively  brain  ?  ** 

"  She  told  me  nothing  ;  she  is  true  to  yon,  false  as  you  hn  ^e 
been  to  her.  We  scarcely  exchanged  words — she  seemed  to 
have  something  to  say  to  Stedman,  and  I  walked  off,  and  left 
them.  It  is  of  no  use  your  wearing  a  mask  with  me.  When 
Alice  Warren  came  up  to  London  last  September,  poor,  cred- 
ulous child,  it  was  to  become  your  wife." 

**You  are   right!"    exclaimed  Lord  Montalien  suddenly, 

"and  1  will  throw  off  the  mask  with  you,  my  virtue-preaching 

founger  brother!     In  that  other  land  to  which  your — mtt/or- 

(Hiui  ve  driving  you,  you  might,  with  pleasure  to  yourseli,  and 

proit  to  yon-*  hearers,  turn  Methodist  parson — the  rdit  seems 

4p  Mtit  yuu  amazingly.     I  shall  deal  witli  Alice  Warren  exacdy 

"  H  I  itlease,  and  for  marriage,  I  shall  marry  PauUna  Lisle  I "' 

-       "'  Poor  Paulina,"  G}}y  said  bitterly.     '*  May  Heaven  keep  he: 

'^tomtuchafaf^l" 

"  Yoa  believe  in  Heaven  ?    At  least  it  has  net  dealt  very 
Jndly  by  you.     I  shall  man-y  Paulina  Lu.e  and  her  fortune ; 
==Ti3^1rfflWlhe'3e!3gli^uJfficcupafio^ 

iU|^  ipirit  while  you  are  breaking  stones  on  the  roads  out  th«n 
b  ij^DStnlia.     For  Aiioe  Warren,  she  will  Care  none  jthe  beMf 


•*A  ifRW  ITAY  rO  PAV  OLD  DEBTS." 


nt 


men,  tlie 
as  Alice 

nC  DMUl'i 

i  Irft,  ]Fcm 

narriage? 
[ay  I  uk 

nd  if  alK 

I* 

me  to  do 
with  <lus 
I  should 
d  shadow 
era  to  be. 
murdered 
'ou  aie !" 
jh  he  was 
<:ase,  and 

f  betrayal 
igment  oi 

you  hn^e 
eeined  to 
',  and  left 
u  When 
Dor,  cred 

Hiddenly , 
preaching 
— mis/or- 
irseli^  and 
die  seems 
:n  exacdy 
isle  J "' 
k  keep  he: 

lealt  very 
r  fortune; 
iftealrdar 
out  th«n 
thcbeUif 


4r  r  your  advccacy.  Let  as  speak  of  yourself  -I  yeaUy  feel  ar 
aterest  in  your  fate,  though  you  may  not  believe  it  You  hare 
s^nt  in  your  vi\>^  to  selC  I  .suppose?  You  are  not  mad 
enough  lo  try  and  rema  n  in  Kngland  }" 

Vtxxy  bowed  his  head  in  assent,  and  turned  to  go. 

'♦  Pray  do  no*:  be  m  sucn  haste- -1  have  not  half  finished  whai 
I  d  ^sire  to  say  to  you.  Have  you  chosen  as  yet  the  place  o£ 
f  AU  outlawry  }" 

••  ITie  j>lacc  of  my  outUwry  ii  a  matter  Uiat  '^  no  way  con 
cems  you"  gBj 

"  Very  true  ;  and  what  does  it  signify— SRerica,  Australia. 
Algc.ia — it  is  all  the  same.  But  don't  you  feel  a  curiosity  to 
know  how  you  came  to  be  disinherited  ?  Most  men  would.  1 
think,  and  you  were  suth  a  favorite  with  old  Miss  Earlscourt, 
as  with  all  women,  young  and  old,  indeed" 
\      "  Through  your  brotherly  kind^es^  Frank,  no  doubt" 

•'  Quite  right— through  my  brotherly  kmdness.  Kut  for  me 
fOU  would  to-day  be  heir  to  our  lamented  maiden  aunt's  large 
fortune,  able  to  snap  your  hn^ers  in  the  faces  of  the  j^ws,  and . 
marry  Paulina  Lisle  yourself,  il  you  desired  it  She  was  ready  ' 
to  forgive  you,  seventy  times  seven,  to  pay  your  debts  to  the 
end  of  the  cha|)ter,  and  leave  you  all  when  she  died — but  f<M 
me  I— but  for  me  I     Shall  J  tell  you,  Guy,  how  1  did  it  ?" 

*•  If  you  please." 

"  By  means  of  the  girl  whose  tase  you  have  come  nere  to 
plead— by  means  of  Alice  Warren.  Your  gambling,  your  drink- 
ing, your  mad  extravagance  in  every  way,  she  was  prepared  t«> 
forgive  and  condone,  but  not  the  luring  from  home,  under  pre- 
tence of  inairiage,  and  ruin  of  a  youns  and  virtuous  girl,  whos* 
&ther  all  his  life  had  loved  and  served  you  and  yours  I  I  went 
:o  her  two  weeks  ago,  my  brilliant,  careless  Guy,  and  1  told  her 
this.  I  made  her  believe  this,  the  only  thinjg  that  could  have 
ruined  you ;  and  that  night  she  tore  up  the  will  that  left  you  alt 
•-you  hear — all  I— and  made  me  her  heir  I " 

He  pausei.  Satan  himself,  triumphing  over  a  lost  soul, 
tould  not  have  looked  more  dialnjlically  exultant  For  'luy, 
le  listened,  his  elbow  on  the  marble  mantel,  his  calrr,  pale  (ace 
Ificioved,  his  eye?  fixed  steadfastly  on  his  o^'y  brothef  ■  fac^^^^>o 

**  Vo»  did  this,"  he  said,  slowly.  <*  I  know  you  alwayr  haitodi 
«c»  but  1  did  tiot— ^^     1  did  not  think,  base  as  I  know  you  tft_ 

with 


^,  ffiaTyou  were  cat>able  of  diis.  Frank,"  with  a  suddei 
^nge  of  tone,  "  will  you  tell  me  why  you  have  hated  w}  I 
Mve  been  a  wocthlets  lellow,  but  1  never  injured  y0u," 


'ili^XiiSSiAaiai^ 


ijAm 


.       \ 


J93  "-^  fntW  WAY  TO  f AY  OLD  DEBTS.^ 

1J^.J^  ""*'"  ^^^^  Montalien  ground  out,  with  v'^te* 
Ottb.  "Why,  curse  you,  I  believe  1  have  hated  you*  fr<tta 
fODi  cndle  I    You  were  the  Isaac,  I  the  Ishmael ;  you  the 

Kted,  the  caressed,  the  admired— I  the  unlicked  cub,  the  un- 
ed  son  of  an  unloved  mother !  I  have  hated  you  for  that 
beauty  which  women  nave  so  adinxed,  for  the  talents  and  ac 
oomphshraents  that  have  rendered  you  a  favorite  with  nirn  • 
and  I  swore  to  have  revenge— and  1  have  h.-d  it  Youi  brU 
l«.t  ufe  IS  over ;  you  are  a  beggar  ;  you  go  forth  to  exLie  and 
OuUawry  and  disgrace— to  starve  or  work  in  a  foreign  land  » 
And  the  title,  and  the  wealth,  and  the  good  repute  are  mine 
Haa  more  got  to  be  said?  I  will  marry  Paulina  l.isle  before 
Hie  next  London  season,  and  Alice  Warren  may  go,  as  yob 
oave  gone,  to  perdition.  Mr.  Guy  Earlacourt,  permit  me  to 
wish  you  good-night  1 "       '  ;  *»  i~  «» 

He  rang  th^  belL 

"  Show  Mr.  Earlscourt  to  the  door,"  he  said  to  the  servant, 
•*  and  admit  him  here  no  more  I " 

He  could  not  forbear  this  last  insult  With  one  look— a 
lOok  not  soon  to  be  forgotten— Guy  went  forth,  never  to  cross 
mat  threshold  again. 

tJl^r?  "T  ^°^  Berkeley  Square  and  Paulina!"  exclaimed 
umi  Montalien,  taking  up  his  great-coat  "  We  will  sec  what 
rame  of  mind  that  obstinate  liti!e  beauty  is  in  to-night  I " 

But  he  was  not  to  go  yet  The  door  opened  once  more, 
•nd  the  groom  of  the  chajnbers  appeared,  with  a  disturbed 
countenance. 

""lAy  lord,  there  is  a  y>ung  person  here  who  says  she  muA 
•ee  you.     1  have  remonstrated — " 

iJ^^T^'^^'^h    '^^^  y°""8  P«^"  had  had  the  audac 
2^  to  follow  huI^  yd  stood  now  uixjn  the  threshold.     It  wu 

'    1''^**  "^^  <'°'  Robinson ;  I  will  see  this  woman  f    Go  r 

The  groom  ot  the  chambers  vanished,  closing  the  door  after 
rS:  *  n   "5^l?'"8   the  heavy  curtain  of  crimson  cloth  that 
.•nectuaUy  shut  in  every  sound  ;  and  Alice,  wan  as  a  spirit  cov 

^  VZ^^  *"?*'  ^^  *'*'•'  ^y*^'  *"**  ghastly  face,  stood  befon 
ij«rd  Montaheu  in  all  hit  splendor.  His  face  was  liter JU 
bUck  with  rage.  He  hated^her,  he  loathed  her,  he  had  forbid 
den  her  in  the  most  emphatic  manner  ever  to  write  to  him  oc 

^Wtnide  upon  him,  tod  <hc  h*d  lad  the  audacity ^o  (bree^g^^ 
my  here  I  .-»-»r  wwree  ao^ 

<' How  due  yoti"  he  twd,  wsd-w  hi.  breath,  aa  he  ahvfyi 


'A   tfEtr  WAY  TO  PAY  OLD  DF^TS* 


>9S 


as  yot 


i^kewhen  hfi  passion  was  greatest — "how  4are  ?cu 
here?"  ' 

She  was  trembling  with  colA  She  was  mixorablf  dad  Mni 
fctigued,  but  he  otfered  her  no  chair,  did  not  biH  her  approach 
the  fire.  She  remained  standing  near  the  d<H>r,  hei  facty 
awfully  cor])se-like^  turned  u|Kin  him. 

••  Why  have  you  come  here  ? "  he  thundered  "  Spade  al 
•BGC — why  have  you  dared  to  come  here  ?  " 

"  I  have  come  for  justice,  Ixird  Montalien.  I  mm  your  wife, 
and  you  leave  me  to  starve  I  I  am  your  wife,  and  «n  outcait 
from  home  and  friends!  FrankI  Frank  1"— her  voice  rising 
to  a  shnll  cry — ••  I  have  not  seen  you  for  six  weeks — I  had  to 
pome  here — 1  should  have  gone  mad  or  died  if  i  had  not 
come." 

"It  is  a  pity  you  did  not !"  he  bruully  answered.  "Go 
road  and  die— the  sooner  the  better  ;  but  don't  come  tonnent- 
ing  me  with  the  sight  of  your  miserable,  white  face." 

Shie  clas|>ed  both  hands  over  her  heart  and  staggered  u 
thougl.  he  had  given  her  a  blow  ;  her  lips  moved,  but  no  sotmd 
C£|ne  forth. 

"\Vhat  do  yon  mean  by  coming  here -for  justice,  as  you  call 
it  ?  "  he  went  on.  ••  Justice  means  money,  1  sup(X)se.  Well^ 
here  are  ten  guineas — take  them,  and  pay  your  bill,  and  be 
gon^  ! " 

She  rallied  again  ;  after  an  effort  or  two  words  came  from  * 
her  aahen  lips  :  * 

"i  came  for  justice,  and  I  must  have  it—I  am  your  wife~ 
four  lawful,  wedded  wife— why,  then,  are  you  trying  to  maiTf 
I'auhna  I. isle?"  •  *  ^ 

He  strotle  a  step  towards  her,  then  stopped. 

"  VVho  has  told  yea  this  ?  "  he  cried,  with  suppressed  fiiry. 

"  Mr.  Siedman.  I  ipet  him  to-day — he  told  me  you  wert 
maged  to  marry  Paulma  Lisle,  and  would  many  her.  Frank, 
It  must  not,  shall  n«t  be  I  1  can  bear  a  great  deal,  but  nof 
Uut.  1  love  Paulma;  she  shall  never  be  ruined  as  1  havi 
been.  You  shall  own  me  before  the  world  as  what  I  am^ 
your  lawfiil  wife,  or  1  will  go  to  her  and  tell  her  alL" 

There  was  that  in  hci  face,  in  her  eyes,  in  her  tone,  a  firm- 
oesK,  a  resolution,  he  had  never  seen  there  before.    The  oiiahed 
•oinc  had  turned ;  he  knew  she  meant  what  sl;e  had  — id 
— ii  Vou  will  ^  this  1 "  he  exctainied,  hoarsely^  -  "= 

**  I  iweai  1  will  I     My  heart  is  br^n,  my  life  mined— that 


M  ^  hope— yoo  hate  me,  and  wi^^cast  me  oft    Bat  ify 


^!mii:iMmi,..^. 


..^.„.„,^,„^,..,,..„^,...^, 


'11 


U  I 


294        "A    NEW   WAY   TO  PAY  OLD  DEBTS." 

shall  be  saved— my  good  name  shall  be  saved.  Unless  be- 
fore this  year  ends,  you  promise  to  proclaim  me  as  your 
wife,  I  will  go  to  Paulina  Lisle  and  tell  her  all." 

"  Then  go  !  "  he  buf st  forth,  in  his  fury  ;  "  go— weak, 
drivelling,  miserable  fool!  My  wife  !  Why,  you.idiot,  you  . 
have  never  been  that  for  one  hoor,  fpr  one  second.  The  man 
who  married  us  was  no  clergyman,  but  a  worthless,  drunken 
vagrant,  who  entered  into  tlie  plot  with  Stedman  and  me. 
My  wife!  Faugh  !  I  was  mad  ertougli,  but  neverthalf  mad 
enough  to  do  that !  Now  you  know  the  truth  at  last— no 
more  my  wife  than  any  street-walker  in  London.  Go  to 
your  friend,  Mr.  Stedman,  and  he  will  indorse  my  words." 

There  was  a  chair  near  her— she  grasped  it  to  keep  from 
falling,  and  in. the  height  of  his  mad  fury  he  had  to  shift 
away  from  the  gaze  of  the  large,  horror-struck  eyes. 

"  Not  his  wife  !  "  she  whispered  ;  "  not  his  wife  !" 

"Not  my  wife,  I  swear  it !  I  did  not  mean  to  tell  you 
until  I  had  got  you  quietly  out  of  the  country,  but  as  well 
now  as  later.  And  mark  you -if  you  go  near  Paulina  Lisle 
—I  will— kill  you!" 

The  last  words  came  hissing  through  his  set  teeth.* 

"  Not  his  wife,"  she  repeated  once  more,  in  a  sort  of 
whisper ;  "  not  his  wife  !  " 

She  turned  blindly  toward  the  door,  groping  like  one  in 
the  dark.     He  lifted  the  curtain,  and  opened  it  for  her. 

"Get  a  cab,  and  go  home,"  he  said.  "I  will  call  upon 
you  in  a  day  or  two,  and  see  what  can  be  done.  I  will 
provide  for  you,  have  no  fear  of  that.  Here  is  the  money 
— go  back  quietly  and  wait  until  I  come." 

She  did  not  seem  to  hear  or  heed  him.  She  never  noticed 
the  money  he  offered.  She  went  forward  in  the  same  blind 
way,  the  servant  looking  at  her  curiously,  and  passed  from 
the  luxurious  wealth  and  light  of  those  costly  rooms  to  the 
bitter,  drifting  snow-storm  without. 

"So  much  the  better,''  muttered  his  lordship;  "if  she  perish 
in  the  storm  it  will  save  me  a  world  of  trouble.  Half-past 
nine  !     The  devil's  in  it,  if  I  cannot  go  to  Paulina  now  !  " 

The  devil  was  in  it— he  was  apt  to  be,  horns  and  hoofs 
and  all  in  the  same  room  with  Francis,  Lord  Montalien> 
Before  his  wraps  were  on,  the  door  was  flung  open  for  the 


third  nme,  atid  Mr.  Stedman  announced, 

"Didn't  expect  to  see  me,  old  boy!"  his  visitor  said,  swag- 
,^e^hi|[  in  with  easy  familiarity.  "Going  out,  too,  to  c^U  upoft 


f 


"^  NEW  WAY  TO    PAY  OLD  DEBTS,* 


a9S 


die  lov%iy  raulina,  no  doubt.  Well,  I  won't  detain  you  many 
minutes.  So  let  us  sii  down  and  be  comfortable.  HTut  a 
coiey  crib  you  have  here,  Frank,  and  what  a  lucky  fellow  yom 
are  I  All  Miss  Karlscourt's  money  left  to  you,  insteail  of  thiyt 
unfortunate  beggar,  Guy.  AdkI  now  the  rich  Miss  Lisle  m 
going  to  many  you,  they  say.  It's  better  to  be  bom  lucky 
than  rich,  bui  when  a  man's  both  lucky  and  rich,  what  an  en- 
TiAble  mortil  he  is  !  Ah  !  the  world's  a  see-saw.  and  some  of 
aa  go  up  and  sc  .ne  of  us  go  down  I  How  comfortab'?!  t»t3  cow 
4rc  is  such  a  n.^ht— the  very  dickens  of  a  night,.  1  cih  tdl  you. 
By  the  by,  whc  do  you  think  1  met  out  there  just  noi^  in  thf 
storm  ?  " 

He  looked  cunningly  at  Ix>rd  Montalien,  but  Ixird  MonU 
fien  ditt  not  spcik.     His  face  was  set  in  an  angry  frown. 

*•  That  poor,  .ittle,  unfortunate  Alice  of  yours.  1  put  her  in 
a  cab— she  didr  t  seem  to  know  where  she  was  going,  and  paid 
the  driver  to  tal  e  her  home.  ,  1  believ*;,  in  my  soul,  she  would 
have  perished  b  fore  morning." 

'•  I  wish  to  H  ;aven  she  had  and  you  with  her,"  burst  out  thi 
badgered  peer.  "  What  the  deuce  brings  you  here,  Stediuan  J 
Don't  you  see  Im  going  out?" 

"Now,  that  IS  mhospitable,"  murmured  Mr.  Stedman,  re 
proachfuUy  ;  •♦  a  nd  to  such  a  fnend  as  1  have  been  to  you,  toa 
Didn't  you  tell  me  I  had  a  claim  upon  your  gratitude  yotr 
would  never  foigel  when  I  chose  to  call  upon  you?  The  time 
has  come.  1  leave  England,  in  three  days,  to  seek  my  fortune 
m  Australia;  and  I  have  called  u|X)n  you  to-night,  Lofd 
Montalien,  for  a  check  for  inree  thousand  pounds." 

l^rd  Montalien  laughed  scornfully. 

"  Three  thousand  demons,  perhaps  ! "  he  said. 

"  No,  ray  lord,  one  of  them  I  find  quite  enough  to  deal  with 
It  once.  1  want  three  thousand  pounds,  and  1  mean  to  hava 
It  before  T  quit  this  room  ! " 

"  You  are  mad  or  drunk — which  ?  " 

"Neither,  most  noble  lord.  Your  i«a«t  ii  iratlli  Am 
♦mney." 

"  What  f ecret  ?  "  with  •  scornftii  stare. 

"That  Alice  ^Wanten,  the  bailiff's  datuiitef.  is  your  lawfaL 
wedded  wife  I "       V  TT,  '  ^ 


_.>* 


*(.■ 

^ 


— Mr. Stedman  looked  tip  at  him  widi  an  eroltaat  unife  ot 
^wer. 
*'  Tluu  Alice  Warren^  whom  ten  minutes  sfo  yon  tuim^ 


se 


i^  vij*«i^'  .S^AO^M 


;se~ 


!  I 


u 


196  *^A  NEW  WAY  TO  ^AY  OLD  DEBTS* 

frwn  your  doors  to  perish  in  ir.c  anow,  is  your  fawfiil  ^^A  4 
wife,  a.  fast  «  the  Archhishop  of  Canterburi^,  li^n^T^* 
Clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England  cLn  n"2^e  her  I  yi^?  *' 
^  «xr.t,  .ny  lord  I     You  thought  I  would  beyoJr  eat  W." 

■ony  had  been  performed  under  the  roof  of  St.  (Jelree',!nJ! 
.?r^    he  «,d.  "why  have  you  done  thi,?"        '  '^*- 

"  And  if  I  do  n6t  ?  " 
friend  .he  wi«"iV'Si.  oT:  STcTirSr "  ^^^1' 

'My  promise,  my  lord,  which   I  will  i,^     ri~  ^ 

^  ^JL7jjr:;z  ^^-"^  -^ '^  ^  -« ^ 

^^J^'.  my  lord,  and  CueweU.     I  wiU  deuin  ,0.  » 
He  took  hii  hu  and  appioached  the  dmir     Tl—  k-  4_    .j 


t,^- 


pfWSlUi^  *''i 


^p' 


H  v«dd«4 
;nst  and  j 
1     2^fai/u 
•cat's-paw. 
▼ork,  and 
r  inifftake 
(1  the  cere 
ge's,  flan 
ike,  easily 

Uien  knew 
atlJy  pale. 

I  my  lord, 
thought  I 
ke.  The 
d  the  bat* 
for  three 


«•#«. 


CAMILLA'S  BUSBASD* 


»» 


;".'^' 


And  then  he  was  alone.  Alone  f  No  !  Unseen  tempters, 
Jark  spirits,  filled  the  room.  He  threw  off  his  oveicoat,  and 
walked  up  and  down.  Hour  after  hour  struck — it  wau  lea§ 
past  midnight,  and  still  he  never  paused  in  that  ceaseless  walk. 
Hour  after  h«iur  wore  by— morning  dawned,  white  »nd  cold,  ovet 
I<ondon — firelight  and  waxlight  had  fiickerrd  and  died  awi)'. 

And  with  tlie  morning,  Lord  Moutalien  knew  how  h*  mauri 
to  deal  with  Alice.  4 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


/'CAMILLA'S  HUSBAND.' 


na  I.isle^ 
»n  of  her 
'  revenge 
ourses,  I 

ckbook^ 

till  go  to 

me  the 
ecret  in- 

r  ptpei 

yoa  at 

(turned 
itandii^ 

be  IM 

L    \aSkm 


IIR  VANE  CHARTERIS  and  his  famfly  had  beet, 
back  two  days  in  the  house  in  Berkeley  Square.     Ih* 
Christmas  festivities  at  Montalienhad  been  postponeo 
indefinitely,  ail  through  the  headstrong  disobe«iien(y 
of  that  wilful  girl,  Paulina  Lisle. 

"  1  will  never  go  to  Montalien  Priory  of  my  own  will,"  she 
said  ;  "  and  if  you  take  me  by  force,  1  will  run  away  and  seek 
refuge  with  Duke  Mason,  an  hour  after  we  get  there." 

"  Her  devilish  detennination  1  never  saw  equalled  i  i  old  <^ 
young  !  "  Sir  Vane  said  to  the  Ij^st  da/  of  his  life. 

And  indeed  there  was  truth  in  the  forcible  remark.  She  had 
kept  her  rooms,  to  the  surprise  of  everybody,  for  a  foi '.night  at 
Brighton — having  her  meals  sent  up  to  ner,  not  seeirg  a  soul 
but  her  maid  Jane.  The  weather  had  been  dismal  tlu  oughout, 
Mid  with  plenty  of  new  books  and  new  music,  Paulioa  could 
not  feel  very  lonely.  The  Brighton  world  began  at  Ljt  to  ask 
•o  nwiny  questions  about  its  bright  favorite,  that  at  ieugth  Sir 
Vane  sent  up  his  own  man,  with  a  polite  lequest,  il«at  Miw 
Lisle  would  join  thetii  that  day  at  dinner.  Miss  Lisle's  prompt 
answer  was  characteristic : 

"Tell  Sir  Vane  Charteris,  Brownson,  with  my  coni]  limenti) 
toat  1  have  stayed  a  prisonei  here  for  two  wi»«'lf  tn  pi  aif  4fli_ 
— -I  than  now  stay  two  more  to  please  myself! " 

With  which  the  door  closed  emphatically  in  Brownson's  be 
wiUbrad  fJRce.    And  Miss  Lisle  would  have  been  as  good  m 


*iCff-*aS' 


S!|,ii>j«*.i4,- 


aL.     Hirf  ..-,!}, 'J!«»- 


9^ 


^CAMILLA'S  J/VSBAKD* 


^rd  had  noi  the  bar3net  whisked  hi.  whole  fiunfl)  back  M 

^^^^(^nll^^i  "^^  by  their  world,  but  Mrs.  Atcherly, 
£e  Md  of  n!^i„S?^  *  country-seat  at  Twickenham  ;  and  6n 

Jul  S,r  Vane  ruliit  etherise/ 
•iiter  '^eU  U^r^v  %  '''^P^l^  >PP«^n  to  call."  he  said  to  hi, 

M^  GiL^th^,  ^^I";  '^'  ™».i.yfirs.,  and  »as  told,  u, 

VVMthe  list  of  Miss  Lisle's  enormities  never  lobe  fin«lr 

.^f^n^J,erL"^i^„:Soi".J'■-^^^^^^^^^ 

»  oS ''L'Sd!"'^?^'^  "'S-  *'!;"'™"''  *»'  *«  «""ot  greet 
h«n;o:r,^„^^itT.X":rr.;e'ret!.' '"  '°  ^-'- 

rfZr  P'"'™"^".f'''  ""U  in  a  voice  that  rang,  "enouri, 

*e  ?t    nV'™  "°  '^''<'."'  "^  "'"PP"'  «"<)  I""  to  fed,  a°  voi 
«e  6t--no  poor,  timid,  spinlless  creature,  to  be  tm?m^ 

«»^J!^iS:errhe^'.'J^  "'«■"»«  .0  Uk.  he,  to  • -H- 
«»«  gmupMtbelid  I    Snei.  capable  or  anythim.    She  AaJ 


-CAMILLA'S  HViBAlTD.^ 


S99 


Thr 


om  know  Ker  destination  until  we  are  fairly  started— Elcanof 
mU  fabricate  some  story  to  satisfy  her.     Once  at  'The  Firt '  1 

as  lonely  and  desolate  as  a  tomb;  and  I  will  take  care  she 
does  not  pass  the  gates.     You  will  be  with  her  day  and  oiSJ 

Thy  then^'""'  *""  "*"*'''' '°  '"*^'  ^^^  ^^««  "V*^ 

jJvf.%i'*^?''°"'^"*'^''^*' "*'*"' °'^*>»^     SheshaUonii 
leave  •  The  firs'  as  my  wife."  ' 

He  rose  as  he  spoke,  and  Paulina  flitted  away.       ^ 
In  her  own  roonls,  she  sank  down  white  and  cold.     What 
nomble  plot  was  this  they  were  concocting  against  hei  }     Ther 

month!7h^'^  ""^'r"  ^^'  ^*  "^^^   »*''"'  f°^  "months  and 
months  that  dreary  house  Mrs.  Galbrauh  ever  spoke  of  with 
a  shudder.     And  Lord  Montalien  was  to  be  her  constant  c3 
pamon,  and  by  fair  means  or  foul,  she  was  only  to  leave  it  hu 
mfe      Her  heart  grew  sick  within  her.     Her  own  will  might 
be  strong,  but  that  of  those  two  men  was  stronger.     Cpris 
oned  there-fn^dless-:%how  could  she  hope  to  outwit  them  ? 
ru  k1  ^;"  "'^^^''  g?  *«  'The  Firs',"  she  cried,  clenching  her  lit 
tie  hands  frantically;  "I  will  die  first!"  ^ 

What  should  she  do?  She  was-for  the  first  time  in  her 
bi^ve  hfe-Kombly  afraid.  What  should  she  do  ?  Tell  Mrl 
Atcherly,  and  ask  her  to  help  protect  her?  Sir  Vane  was  her 
guardian,  and  what  was  more  natural  than  that  he  should 
choose  to  spend  the  winter  nith  his  family  down  at  his  place  in 
aI  ino     *■      r^'  coiild  not,  dare  not,  help  her.     Should 

hio  ^r^^\"n^*'"-  ^^l  °'^.  ''^'"8?    Alas!  she  had  only 

two  or    hree  shillings  m  the  wide  world,  and  a  London  detec- 

tive  would  find  and  bring  her  back  in  two  days.     And  Sir  Vane 

Z»?f/'h        °^/"y^hing-he  might  takeout  a  writ  of  lunacy 

Kf       }T^  u  ^"'  ^t'  "P  '"  "^  mad-house,  as  he  had  dohe 

lid^  n,-  h?  '  ^h*»-^hat  should  she  do?    She  spent  a  da, 

*nd  a  mght,  and  another  day,  almost  maddened  by  doubt  ani 

fear.     How  she  hated  and  abhorred  these  two  men  I     By  the 

?;!!;i  f  ^  e'jening  of  the  twenty-second  came,  she  had  wrought 

nerself  i p  to  a  pitch  of  excitement  that  made  her  ready  for  any- 

!k    I'.    1^  anythmg  under  the  canopy  of  heaven  to  escape 

Ae  fete  that  threatened  her.     Something  must   be  done  ^ 

niffht.    she  thought  as  she  dressed  herself  for  Mrs.  Atcherlv'i 

„^    ,°*'^'^'  "ot  the  least  idea  what,  but  somsthinir  oi««t  W 

^  »  "S  Z.^  ''•'"•  "'»•  "ig  "^  -» ^ 


y» 


^CAMflLUtS   SVSBANB* 


9ie  wu  thinking  this  as  her  maid  dressed  her-^thinkini  li 
Ai  they  drove  rapidly  through  the  cold,  moonlit  night— thmKinp 
it  as  she  entered  Mrs.  Atchrrly's  pleasant  rooin% .liU'ef)  with 
Ffr«uuin|.  people.  She  was  looking  beautiful  in  a  dress  of  silver- 
d1u£  moire,  with,  diamonds  sparkling  in  her  ^old  hair,  on  het 
marble  throat  and  arms.  She  was  pale  as  marble  herscU,  1)ut 
there  was  a  feverish  &re  in  her  eyes  that  told  of  tht;  tinreiH 
^thin 

Sii  Vane,  Lord  Montalien,  even  Maud,  attended  this  party 
CO  Witness  the  thearricals.  Bills  printed  on  white  satin  were 
passe^t  around.  Th<*  play  wa3  " Camillds  Husband"  " Ca- 
milla" by  Miss  Atcherly,  and  the  young  artist,  who  is  the  hep* 
of  the  piece,  by  Guy  Karlscourt. 

'•  His  last  appearance  on  any  stage,"  laiighed  his  brother  to 
Sir  Va,ne,  "  before  he  goe^  forth  into  the  outer  darkness,  to  be 
seen  and  heard  of  no  more.  He  was  always  a  sort  of  |»et  with 
those  people.  He  has  sold  out,  you  know,  and  must  k-a^e 
England  within  the  week,  or  the  Jews  wnll  be  down  upon  lurn, 
and  all  his  brilliancy,  and  all  hjs  beauty,  will  ft  wasted  sweet- 
ness  on  the  desert  air  of  a  debtor's  prison." 

"  How  you  do  hate  your  brother,"  Sir  Vane  thought ;  "  and 
you  do  not  possess  even  the  common  decency  to  conceal  it." 

Perhaps  many  of  those  who  read  this  have  seen  the  play 
called  '*  Camilla's  Husband,"  A  young  lady,  persecuted  by  a 
tyrannical  guardian,  mak^s  her  escape,  and  asks  the  first  man 
^e  meets  to  marry  her. 

1  he  first  man  is  a  strolling  artist,  who  consents,  marries  her, 
rsccives  a  purse  of  gold,  is  told  he  is  never  to  see  or  seek  het 
again,  and  she  disappears.  Of  course  it  ends,  as  it  ought  to 
end,  in  ihe  artist  saving  her  life,  and  eventually  winning  hei 
tove  and  herself.  , 

'Ihe  cjrtain  arose  md  the  play  began. 

Miss  Atcherly,  beautifully  dressed,  and  for  an  amatew 
fOim^  actress  s|)eak.ng  loud  enough  to  be  heaH  by  the  firsr 
three  tows  oi  auditors,  at, least,  is  received  with  applause. 

Mi.  Earlscoujt,  as  the  .lucky  artist,  looking  wDntierfully 
handsome  in  a  suit  of  black  velvet  and  gold — appropriate  cos^ 
tttine  for  a  |)enniless  painter — speaks  so  that  everybody  can 
hear  his  deep  tenor  tones,  and  comes  forwaid  to  the  foot- 
lights, trilling  a  song.  Nature  had  given  hmi  every  lequisitQ 
for  ^  first-rate  actor  ;  a  darkly  splendid  ftice,^  tall,  command 


ijKg  Tinn,  a  deep,  rich  voice,  and  )>erfectly  natural  aitlon.     r*fo 
Orofeiuonal  actor  could  have  pla/ed  better  th«o  he ;  hi*  geiu«t 


m.,.. 


J.'»'*,^ti*-i    s^*    *^ 


'•CAMILLA'S  m^^J^A*        \ 


301 


ereti  tranned  up  the  pthen  in  their  parts,  ancj^gave  Mil i  Atch 
erly  coqtm^  f  o  And  her  voice.  .  Scdres  there  remenib^tri^  foi 
jreara  %ftet,  how  hit,  looked  that  night— the  last  night,  as  ihej 
thought,  forever  of  his  old  life,  li  was  all  over  ;  tlie  crash  hat) 
come — his  briJIi^t  Bohemian  existence  was  at  an  end  ficcver." 
Outlawry — exile — disgUce  was  his  4Jor^on,  and  h:  stood  bcforf 
tiiem,  looking  handsomer  than  ever,  arid  acting  as  thoigh  11 
bad  not  a  care  i|)  the  world. 

Paulina  Lisle  sat  watching  the  progress  of  t^e  play,  led  awaj 
irom  the  great  trouble  of  her  life  in  its  interest.     How  well  _h«^ 
played,  she  thought,  how  magnificently  he  looked  I     tft»w  like^ 
"Camilla's"  fate  was  to  hw-tjwn  1     Oh  I  ifjA^cou'd  but  cut 
the  Gordian  knot  of  her  difficulties  by  asking  somebody  to 
marry  her  too  T^  The  hour  that  made  her  a  wife,  n.ade  her  a 
free  woman,  out  of  the  power  of  Sir  Vane  and  Lord  Montalien, 
and  her  fortune  her  own  !     She  did  not  want  to  be  married — 
ahe  was  not  a  whit  in  love  with  any  man  alive,  but  if  she  c<m/d 
find  a  mat  who  would  consent  to  leave  her,  in  heir  wedding 
hour,  as  this  artist  left   Camilla — why  then.     But  where  was 
^he  to  find  such  a  mah  i^    There  were  half  a  dozen  men  in  that 
very  room  who  would\be  only  too  glad  to  end  Jier  difficulties 
for  her  by  marrying  her,  but  not  one  of  those  selfish  creatures,     * 
she  knew,  would  resign  her  forever  in  the  hour  that  made  hei 
his  wife.     It  was  only  on  the  stage  such  noble-minded  bride 
grooms  were  to  be  found.     No,  that  way  there  was  no  hope. 
And  yet,, if  it  had  been  possibfe,  whittiis^trniinph  it  #ould  be 
over  the  men  i\ie  hated  I 

It  vas  the  last  scene  of  the  last  act     "  Camilla "  is  hope- 
'^  lessly  in  love  with  her  artist,  and  that  moment  is  drawing  ndai 
when  she  shall  fling  herself*  into  his  arms  aad  declare  that 
•*_Happy  am  i,  mice  you  are  Camilla's  husband" 

Guy  was  playing  su}>erbly ;  and  when,  in  the  last  mommt, 
.  he  opens  his  anns,  and  his  wife  falls  in^o  them,  the  whole  huUM 
bui^  forth  mto  a  tumult  of  applausw,  in  the  midst  of  wluch 
^  curtain  fell,  and  the  play  was  over. 

*  How  well  he  acted,"  a  voice  near  Paulina  said,  as  a  young 
officer  of  the  Guards  arose  with  a  militaiy  friend,  "for  a  man 
irretrievably  mined  His  debts  are  enormous ;  and  his  ol^  aunt 
hu  died,  and  left  all  to  that  cad  of  an  elder  brothei.  Wl^ 
tpity  the  days  of  Faust  and  Mephistopheles  are  over  I  Gu} 
""l&u-lscourt-wourdlieTrhislourtolRe  Evil  One,  1  verily  believe — ~- 


>« 


-•«  < 


without  a  moment's  hesiution^  for  twenty  thousand  poundf 
He  nmit  leave  England  ii»-a  day  or  two^  and  fevcver/' 


V- 


If'W' 


^ 


"  CAJH/lLjes  MVsJtANb* 


h.^  •*Tt*^'!f^?  ^'^  •  ^*  •''*  "8»^»-»roken  words  h«<  beec 
heard  and  heeded  In  that  instant,  as  she  l«tened.  U  JftSS 
•pon  Pjuhna  Uke  a  hgt.tnm»  gleain.  Guy  P:arls^ourt  iSTthe 
^-tbe  man  to  mamr.  a  J  save  hdr.  'Ae  inan  to  take  JuS 
OCT  fv,rtune  and  leave  her  forever. 

.«^*'  ??*  "?*  nioments  in  our  lives  when  the  sanest  of  ai 

fLx^  si  "^^  ^T'  'J  "*^  °"^  ^'  '""^^^  mon.ents  lii 
r*ulma.  She  «,«//  have  been  mad,  her  brain  was  half.<la2ed 
nU^  ihmki-^g,  her  danger  w«  so  great  and  so  inmiinenn^ 

S^r^r*  Th  ''^^.^  "^^"8^^  '"  "f^  '°  ^^*^  '-^t  pitch  of  ex 
S  her  1  •'''  ^°"  condemnher-ire  horrified 

lhi?*dnrhfr*'^'^,'^  ^r*''^'  •"  ^^^'•<^^ys.  when  the  frenzy  d 
,  Uns  tm.e  i.ad  passed-sh,^  never  looked  back  to  ^his  night  with- 
out lurnmg  sick  at  heart 'with  shame  and  horror  of  herSlf 

She  leaned  against  a  slender  pilaster ;  the  room,  the  lights. 
Ae  faces  swunnung  before  her.     Her  eyes  were  fixed  with  the 
Utensuy  of   msamty  upon  the  face  o&..y  Earlscourrs^ 
rounded  by  all  the  women  in  the  rooll^^ecdv^^ng  ^^^^^ 
plmients^and  congratulations,  with  his  usual  negKLm  couX 

^^»»  u         *'  ^^'*^^y  *  '"*"'  0"'>'  ^he  instrument,  the  au 

/    Xturntn^'V"  r'  ^''  ^°^  ^  *^*^^^^'"'  ^^"'nUated  'price, 
«r      S'^  ^^/^"^'''"g'y  »*^y^|  »*«t  /rom  his  admirers.  Tnd  saw 

ZL^fZrT"^i^'^^°''-  ^'^'y  '^^  ^"^^^^^     The  deadly 
tCi*il -wa^^'r  iS  ?"^"«  l^nghtness  of  her  eyes,  what  diS 

"What  is  It?  "he  asked 
She  caught  his  arm. 

"  '  ''*"»  yo". '  she  said,  in  a  breathlesiiDrt  of  way 
»e  out  of  this  room."  -^noiway. 

!^^°!rr'*?;*"'^'^'  *^*'"'  '^^  ^^'^  her  hand  within  iS 

bt  boud  H,,,   ^He  ^a^the  fiiend  of  the  house,  and  he  khew  it 
.ri^H  ijght^  ijjjg  n.oonlight,  filled  tiiis  small  room. 
"'jhW^'^th  perfume.     He  dropficd  a  vol 
'~**^y,  ant|  turned  tc  her. 

"^^'gj^uncommon  was  coming,  iie 

the  bi^ng  lights  in^her  eyei  rnfnwy 


lit  buud  HI 
well:     A 
lowers  n,^_ 
vet  curtaii^^ 
"Now?"^ 


knew  not  wl 
She  look 
Ktened 


vSlf^JT^^**.'**'  •"  *^«  fi^s'  stage  of  a  braipfcyer? 
-  VoM  V^oing  to  leave  England  ?"  S»e  asked  abn^Uy 


: 


sur 


<%  t' 


: 


^i 


''LAMiiLjts  m;sMAim,'» 


"Iim,* 


,--^ 


-V 


wotid     lam foing to  leek  mjr Ibrtnat  bk 


>a  will  never  return  to  Eaglaiid — i^erer,  never  I " 

"N.ever,  in  all  probability."    ' 

^^"Pien  what  can  it  matter  to  yodi  It  will  make  your  fax.'. 
•o  worse,  and  it  will  save  me..  You  shall  have  hal/  my  fortnot 
-  <lo  you  hear — forty  thousand  pounds — if  you  will  swear  to 
k«rp  ihe  secret,  and  never  to  come  back,  never  to  come  ueai 
m^,  never  let  the  world  kn9<f  I  married  you." 

The  words  burst  from  her  wildly — incoherentlv. 

He  lopked  at  her  in  blank  amaze.  Was  Miss  Lisle  goii)| 
mad?  «' 

"Oh,  you  don't  understand,"  she  cried.  "I  am^like  the 
wftmaifin  that  play — I  am  not  mad,  though  they  will  drive  nu; 
so  in  the  «nd.  I  tell  you  they  are  going  to  make  me  marry 
Lord  Montalien,  and  I  hate  him !  I  hate  him !  I  will  kill  my- 
self first!"     ,, 

A  iisht  began  to  dawn  upon  Guy.  By  some  subtle  instinct 
he  understock  her  at  once. 

"They — meaning  Sir  Vane  Charteris  and  Mrs.  Galbraith,  I 
suppose — are  going  to  make  you  marry  Lord  Montalien  ?  " 

"Yes.  You  know > The  Firs' — that  desolate,  abandoned' 
old  manor-house,  on  the  Essex  coast  ?  They  are  going  to  im- 
prison me  there  until  1  consent.  They  will  do  with  me  as  was 
done  with  njy  mother,  compel  me  to  mArry  a  man  1  abhor. 
Ap4,;there  is  only  one  way  of  escape." 
^^^'jiind  that  is  to  marry  some  one  cbe." 

He  was  entering  into  the  spirit  of  the  thing  now.  Mad  es 
capades  of  all  sorts  nad  been  the  delight  of  his  life.  What 
(Xmld  be  better  than  to'finish  his  career  in  England  by  the  mad- 
dest escapade  of  alL  He  understood  her  as  few  men  would 
have  done,  and  (Htied  her  intensely  in'^this  hour  of  her  despeia^ 
tkm. 

"  MiM  Lisle,    he  laid,  "will  yon  marry  me?" 

He  Lad  spoken  the  words  for  her  I    She  gave  a  s<Mrt  of  gasp 
•f  intense  relieC 
i=^  1  win — if  you  consent-te^jqN 


"What  are  they?' 
*'That  you  accept  half  my  fiartune,  and  in  the 
CMUntiaf e  leave  me  forevtr." 


it«lMI 


I 


',*!. 


.viT'i:ii*^';- 


I 


«■»■ 


>«>.■ 


964 


■  '•CAU/LLA'S  HUSBAND** 


•*T«e  first  is  easy  enough— the  second— well,  net  so  pleuAAl  . 
Still,  to  oblige  a  lady  m  distress—"  ^^ 

There  was  a  small  Bible  bound  in  goJo  and  rearl,  on  he  U 
We.     She  snatched  it  up  and  held  it  ot«n  to  hi.ii 

"Swear,"  she  cried;  "swear,  by  ill  you  huld'sacr-d,  ne#« 
to  molest  me,  never  to  claim  any  ri^^'t  as  my  husbar  d  ue«K 
conie  what  may  to  betray  my  secret,  to  leave  lue  at  A*  thoid 
«*H)r.     bwear  I " 

He  took  the  book  without  a  second's  hesiution.  and  :ouch«^ 
It  witti  his  lips. 

.  •*!  swear  I"  he  said.  '''« 

She  drew  a  long  breach  of  relief.     The  cold  dew  was  sta^dina 

SJC*^   "•"*  *!!'  ^""^  '*''"*  ^^''''-     She  sank  down  in  a  chair  and 
tod  li^  face  IT  her  hands,  with  a  dry,  choking  sob.     The  youna 

♦Poor  child!"  he  said  very  softly;  "  it  is  hard  on  you.  And 
now — when  IS  It  to  be  ?" 

"They  mean  to  start  for  'The  Firs,'  by  the  earliest  train,  on 
Christmas  eve.  Once  there,  all  is  lost." 
^,"Then  we  must  be  beforehand  with  them.  Gad  I  what  » 
toiumph  «t  will  be  over  Frank  I"  He  laughed  as  he  sfn.ke- 
r^med,  and  exiled,  Guy  t:arl9court  could  still  laugh.  "Let  u, 
*T'a  jT  yo"?«  .manned  in  a  church  m*  this  city,  Miss  Lisle 
»t  day-dawn,  Chnstnias  eve?"  ' 

"  Not  in  a  church !  such  a  marriage  in  a  church  would  seen 
a  mockery— a  sacrilege— anywhere  else."- 
.  "Then,  by  Jove!  I  have  it !  What  do  you  say  to  a  mar^ 
nage  before  a  registrar  ?  You  walk  into  an  HtRce,  very  much 
like  any  other  bffice,  and  you  see  an  official,  very  much  like  any 
other  official,  and  a  tew  words  are  said,  a  little  signrng.  ind 
countersigning,  and  the  thing  is  ov^r.  A  marnige  before  % 
registrar  between  the  hours  of  eight  and  twelve  in  the  forenooo. 
rith  oi»en  doois,  in  the  presence  of  two  witnesses,  ^c.  etc 
AKthing  can  be  njore  simple,  and  you  will  kav^  the  office  at 
legally  mamcd  in  Ihe  eye  of  the  law  (what  y^u  want,  I  take  it) 
as  though  a  dean  and  chapter  had  done  the  business.     There 

rit      w  If*  ^  *  ""''  ^^''■"«  ^'^"^  3^°"^  age  i  i  will  arrange 
that.     Will  that  suit  you?"  • 

''J^^^^^^y-  ^y  wa'd  »""  accompany  me,  and  I  will  go  di 
wctly  2^"^  *»e"Jhe  ceremony  is  over,  and  ^ell  them  then 
mat  I  am  out  of  theii  power -at  last.     If  ycMi  wilt  call  at  the 

home,  m  mnnU  «f  k^....  !„._*    «•:-  t/, _!.'  ..  ***• 


»         . "-    — ~"     t~"».i     m,K  tmax.        «|    jrwi  will    Cail    at    tlM 

bpase,  a  couple  of  hours  lat:#,  Sir  Vane  ihaU  pay  over  to  yoi 
Ihf  Mim  1  have  promised."  ' 


*CAMILlJPS  &USBAND* 


SOS 


He  wiifled  slightly. 

'•i  sijdl  call  Miss  Lrt€.  And  now  as  to  the  hour  W« 
uost  he  vcy  earlv,  in  order  to  be  beforehAnd  with  theta  3*9 
between  eigl.:  and  nine  ?    Can  you  bef  ready  so  early  ?" 

♦♦1  could  be  ready  at  midnight  to  ^ve  myself  from  yow 
brother  I  At  eight  o'clock,  I  and  my  maid  will  steal  from  th# 
)9ase,  and  meet  you  wherever  you  say." 

'•My  cab  shall  be  m  waiting  at  the  comer.  The  coacnmaw 
nil  do  for  the  other  witness.     Is  your  maid  to  be  trusted  ?" 

"  I  think  so  when— well  paid."  .  ^  »,. 

"  And  you  will  not  change  your  mind— you  will  not  fiul  ? 

He  wjotild  not  have  had  her  fa  J  for  worlds  now.  The  ro 
nance,  the  piquancy  of  the  adveniure,  fired  his  imagination. 
Of  the  future,  in  that  hour,  he  never  thuught ;  just  at  present  it 
looked  a  capital,  practical  joke. 

"Am  1  likely  to  faU?"  she  cried,  bitterly;  ''Mr.  Earte- 
court,"  turning  to  him  with  sudden  passion,  "  I  wonder  what 
you  tiank  of  me  I " 

••  1  underitand  yoo  I "  he  answered  respectfidly.     "  Desper 
ate  cases  retjuire  <tesperate  remc4ic8-     Against  two  such  men 
as  Lord  Montalien  and  l.ir  Vane  Charteris  you  stand  no  chance. 
Your  marriage  with  me  will  save  you  at  least  from  a  marriage 
with  him,  and  you  may  trust  me  to  keep  my  oath." 

She  turned  from  him  in  a  tumult  of  contending  emotion, 
among  which,  drawing  back  had  no  part,  and  almost  ran  againft 
Mrs.  Galbraith,  entering  the  room  in  search  of  her. 

Thai  lady's  angry  eyes  looked  from  one  to  the  othcx.  Wm 
this  a  love-scene  she  had  disturbed  }       > 

"  Have  you  no  regard  for  your  good  name,  Paulina,"  she  de- 
mandc-d,  drawing  her  away,  "  that  you  hold  private  interviewf 
with  that  most  disreputable  young  man  ?    1  think  it  is  Ome  w# 

"Tsre  going  home." 
Pailmalaughed— a  wild,  reckless  laugh.        ■  ^        \ 

••  1  think  so  too,  Mrs.  Galbraith.     I  want  to  go  *>«»«• 

ft! IS.  Galbraith  gazed  at  her  in  real  alarm.  She  looked  any 
thing  but  sane  or  safe  at  that  moment 

••  You  shifl  go  home,  Paulina,"  she  answered,  soothmglj, 
•  Sit  here  while  I  go  in  ssarch  of  my  brother." 

Two.  hours  later,  Paulina  l.isle  was  safely  back  in  the  quid 
•r  hex  own  room,  standing  pledged  to  become  the  wife  of  Gnj 
-Eariacourt  ^m  the  momir^of  Cbmmjaa  jaa^^  ^„^^^ 


Difiiue  evftr  wtNiMo  contiBCted. 


■:m 


'^^i&:mMtst^^iiM3ii&ieij-l^Jm&^kA^itMii»^^ 


S06 


ON  cbxistmas  evm. 


CHAPTER  DC 


OW  CHRISTMAS  1V«. 

TceSnil'^h^!;  *"  ^^  *"8y  •edging*,  on  the  nijw  p« 

It  was  snowing  without,  and  was  verv  cdM      <i»?   L    i    ?* 
■ifelf.SlT'T ,'"' '  ""'''  '■°°'  *°"  ■'■''""« '    Heaven  I  what  . 

poor  room,  and  the  landlad/s  faceSL  Sif  .         '   •*" 
ately,  half-i.npatiently  at  her  *^  halfsionipassion- 

^ungaAerwa;ior„U":J;5,Xrr  '"''  '  ^°'^^^^"   ^'- 

lost  gerture  they  though!  her  a,  W  ^n  .%V  T '^'  "^^  ''^* 
marry  Paulma.     No  ;  lie  8SLu^^r>V3o  thaT^  S^^^ 
fcit  anger,   or  sorr.  <v.  or  even  nam  nnw      .         ^^'^  ^^«»T 
point  suffenne  ceases  to  h/«nff  ^  7     ^*'y°"*^  *  certain 

l«»thetic.    ThehXearhed  thf '""«'  *"?  ^^"'"*=''  "»  ^'^  *»• 


"T* 


.r<' 


or>  tmttsrMA:^  'ivA. 


W 


I 


ind,  mthout  a  worjd  of  warning,  Lor^  Montalien  itood  oefiMw 
her. 

She  had  never  thought  to  see  him  again  in  thii  world  Sht 
looked  lip  with  a  low,  strange  cry. 

"  Frank ! " 

*'  Yes,  Alice,  Frank  I  Frank  come  to  beg  jroiur  paidoa  Ibf 
the  cruel,  thoughtless  words  he  spoke  the  other  night  Fraiik 
:0m';  back  to  tell  you  he  loves  you,  and  to  ask  you  to  forghr* 
iitn  for  what  he  said." 

"  There  is  no  need     I  am  not  your  wife,"  she  answere'*,  in 

»^b^,  dull  way.     "  I  had  rather  you  had  not  come.     I  ^y 

,  liplf  to  see  PauKna,  and  die  in  jMsace." 

"'       "You  want  to  see  Paulina?     And  why?" 

^"'^  *  "  To   tell   her   all — to   save  her   from   you,   Frank !     Poor 

Polly  !     She  used  to  be  so  bright,  so  happy,  you  know,  always 

laughing  and  singing;  it  would  be  a  pity  to  break  ^  heart. 

Mine  is  broken  ;  but  then  it  doesn't  so  much  matter  about  me." 

Still  the  same  slow,  dull  voice — the  same  mournful  apathy ; 
her  eyes  fixed  on  the  fire,  her  hands  outstretched. 

"  I  shan't  live  long,  Frank,  to  trouble  anybody ;  but  I  shaO 
live  long  enough  to  tell  Paulina.     She  will  be  sorry  for  me,  I 
think  ;  she  used  to  be  fond  of  Alice-     They  used  to  call  us  thfl 
two  prettiest  girls  in  S|)eckhaven — only  think  of  that,  Frank 
Only  think  if  they  could  see  me  now  I" 

She  laughed — a  low,  faint  laugh,  that  might  have  curdled  hei 
listener's  blood.  He  bent  down  and  looked  at  her  closely — 
his  face  set  and  stem,  though  his  voice,  when  he  spoke,  was 
forced  in'o  gentleness.     Had  her  trouble  turned  her  brain  ? 

••  I  will  tell  her  1  am  not  your  wife,  and  she  will  go  down 
nome,  and  tell  father  and  mother  when  I  am  dead,  and  |>eihapi 
ihtn  they  will  try  and  forgive  me.  I've  not  been  a  very  bad 
spr]—  I'm  not  ai'raid  to  die.     It  will  be  such  rest — such  reft!" 

She  drew  a  long,  tired  sigh,  and  leaned  her  head  on  hei 
♦an<!s.     Then  «ud  Jenl)-  she  looked  up  in  his  face. 

"  Frarik  ! "  she  sa;d,  in  a  voice  of  indescribable  patlMM^ 
"  why  did  you  treat  me  so  ?  I  loved  you,  and  J  trusted  yon 
ird  I  thought  I  was  your  wife  !  "  i 

It    might  have  moved  a  heart  of  j|.one:  he  had  no  heart, 
V  even  of  stone,  to  be  moved.  '  '  X 

You  fiHjlish  child."  he  said,  with  a  slight  laugh,  "you  «ri 

^yife  -uiy  only  wifct  as  truly  as  ever  you  thought  itr    " 
you  Veftlly  believe  the  angry  words  I  said  to  you  the  othei 
«i|^t  ?    Silly  Alice  1  i  was  angiy,  1  own — i  did  not  want  yoo 


f-i 


n 

I 


feiSlk?: 


J0« 


ojf  eax/sTMAs  eve. 


to  come  to  my  lodgings,  and  \  spoke  to  you  in  my  wirer  mm  I 
She  rose  up,  her  breath  con.ing  in  quick,  short  £asn. 

Sl  LiJ     ''  '"""o^o"  ""oming  I  mil  con,e  for  A„"nd^ 

bTck^rher^^ij^*^  ""^  *  ^"'''=^'  and  placed^er  hu^J 

J^'«"Srv/°K'^'^^""'^'''  ^^  "'^  '«>W"g  away  from 

•er.        Can  you  be  ready  as  early  as  eifiht  o'clock  or  ^Llu^ 

fore  It,  to-morrow  morning  ?"  *  '  °'  *'^'^°  ^ 

"  VVhenever  you  come  for  me   Frant    t  ^,-  k  j        ^ 

country-girl  are  ap,  ,o  be%hal,  Xe  ,he„  ,o  "  ^-"^ 
■Wllher  w<K  nor   strong   in  bo<  v  or  minH     ij  u      ""* 

b^o«''h2°:s,5i:'=:?.".i,r..Tr' '« •''^"  ■"  -^  *»-• 

pay  vo«'T  bill    Vl.li  !k-  1    !f,  !  '^  "•     ^^'^  "  "^'"e  'noney  to 

to™>no»  morning,  when  I  shall  call  for  »o  "•   "^  "**' 

He  left  her  humedlywith  the  words.     And  Alice  alon.  t-i. 

*n™  «d  bo,ed  her  face  upon  her  handCand  tanS^^ 

•**  wber^Meny  Chmmias."  hut  i  ^^..^TT-tril^.r*^ 


^-L  T;;^^J;"KLV  J^?P«c  awoke  m  the  great  «ity  t©  -i«h^ 


.s.,;.-;^.    -..*«»• 


:':»■,■£. 


f^' 


mger,  u  1 
niysel/  mH 

isps- 

n't  deceivo 

rath.  Van 
vel.  and  ai 
>'ou,  and  J 
u  doim  to 
et,  Alici." 
>s«  and  lav 
He  shrank 
'  hurriedly 

iway  from 
r  even  be- 

uly.    Ch 
foa  aigain, 

you  say 
this  poor 

She  was 

her  one 
ateis  are 
ucd  if  we 

i^  draw- 
noney  to 
e  to  the 
>re  eight 

ne  knelt 
1  (rod— 
fr«t  do 
heavei 
good  a 
ell  seal 

w    eve. 
to  w»«If= 
g  Ihnp 


ON  IM^ISTMAS  MFM.  .^ 

„ *  309 

mere  was  one  happier  than  this  poor  creature,  in  h*.    1.1-1. 

own.  siuinTtherX'     """'^  '^^"^^  *"^  '^°P^"°«  »>"»  her 

She  gave  a  little  cry  of  delight 

••Ooodby^iMrs.   Young,"   she   said-  "an#»  »Ko«v  * 

your  kindness  when  I  wis  ill."  '  ^  ^^^^   ^"^  ^« 

She  ran  do^n  stairs  and  out  of  the  hou«s      Th- 1         j, 

Wd  and  Mri«,  he,  „„  b»«d.  hir„.'"Xd  ,2^„  ."^".S 

toUmg  ei^h,  .,  I„  qui„ed  ,hc  Strand      He  d^e^;^°"'' 
«.i5       J  r^  .1^ '  '~"^'*c*»  a  remote  and  foreotten  trart    >. 

m'rJrs^fc;;^ '"^ «  -  ^-  deLr^^^L"; 

"you'^nrirt  getTu"^°«  "^^  "*""  '^^  »^^  »»--'••  »»e  ^^  '. 
He  sprang  out  himself  and  gave  her  his  hand  to  de^o-nrf 
They   were  close   upon   some   descried   brick  fitlS.  IT?  iJ 
made  a  n.otion  for  her  to  follow  him!  ^"''^^^^'^  ^^   ^ 

A^i^^rZT  "'  "^^  ^^°"^"   *^^  -^'  -*^-  »  --Pl-ce  f 
I  le  Kcmcd  strangely  familiar  with  the  desoUte  locality      If. 

l^ost  an  unposstbUity.     She  shrunk'  awayTZil' n^eS 

btI'rii!,°^i.!.L'^''  y*'^  '"  *  <^htened  voice.     «a  4an't  «, 
»io  atir  hideous  place.     Oh.  mv  c;nH   i.v,„r7     u  «"* 

|oingt>do?"  ^  ^  ^'^  *'*^'  '^^^^  "^e  f«i 

"7>A.*r/«r/k/r /--you  fool-you  babbler  I  •  he  awwewi 


I 


/ 


■•:  .:',.^ 


Sto 


ON  CBMISTMAS  AVE. 


in  a  horrible  troice  between  his  <Jenched  teeth.  And  beferi 
andAhce  fell  hke  a  stone  at  his  feet  *^ 

tM^I^>^  *  ^.f "'*'  "^  ?  "''^""^  "«J  d~th  been  install 
toeou.  ?  No  J  by  a  -mighty  effort  she  half  msed  herselJ^ 
clasped  her  anns  aroupd  his  knees.  "c«cii,  ana 

^  Frank  ? "  she  whispered,  "  Frank  I "  and*  ths  old  death  lik* 

&m'::2„'^7S^i^"'^^'"«^y'^  "Krankl-ySfh^ 
W»e-J  mc-and  1  loved  you  so-I_loved-you-i>  I  Ok 
God,  have  mercy  on  me— and  forgive—"  *««  .  un, 

She  fell  down  with  the  sentence  imfinished— dead 

tbe"cLt«t7emh*o7th1f^  ""  ?^^^  '^'  ^^  ^'^^X  «to 
S  w2[e  hnrkf  o  "  ^J^*^'  PJ^^  "P  ^'^'^  ™^»>''*h  and  heap, 
«  waste  bncks  again.     Thousands  of  i)eople  might  oass  th*t 

T^A  T'  !^^  "^^^^  »*>"^«^  ^his  frightful  plac^^      ^       ^' 
.««       ??    *"  '^  **"*  *«*•"  •"  *»»«  •'g»'t  of  day,  with  the  white 

to  breakfast  at  ten  at  the  house  of  S^Vane  Ch^teril  7^ 

:^dT;^:.  r:szi ""'  "^^  '^  ^-  ^^--^ 

noSr  Jrc^hfr  ^r^  ^°^*^  »way_^ve  furiously  until  the 

r^enL  h^ste^^„d\;"?*if"^""^>'"  »«»^"'  '^'^^  »^* 
^KCHcu  nis  speed,  and  at  half-past  mne  was  chanirinff  hi* 

dress  m  his  own  hixurious,  firelit  rooms.  '  •  changing  hw 
He  felt  neither  sorrow,  nor  remorse,  nor  fear  Alice  haA 
^n  ^  obstacle  i„  his  way,  and  he  had  relnived  that  JbJS^ 
fcl^  '^f  ™«st  miprobable  diat  the  body  rfiould  ever  £ 
fcund,  oi  If  found,  the  deed  ever  traced  to  him  " 

£nVr  JeTaV^^X  ^S^^^l  ^  -;*,?  ^ 
SJS^^fof^^ef  ^c^^  ^^'  "  ^«  sunerUuSiS! 

«  AJi^??««  ""^  handsonje,  high-spirited  Pylina  I "  he  tho««ht 
JJMLttg^succee   withme,andioihali^|    U  i^^^ 


i 

# 

'^ 

?A    ' 

,) 

'  \  - 

-—-J — 

1  ■ 

.      '\ 

» 

'    I 

• 

s 

>»* 

•        , 

( 

1 

t 

^    ■ 

..:..r*.. 

■  ■ 

'  "^rx'    '  ,.  ■   \- 

*■ 

• 

■■1 

■1 

■ 

wmt 

HI 

m^ 

And  beibrt' 
aih,  a  report, 

been  instaa- 
I  herself  and 

>Id  death-^jLc 
k — you  have 
a— «o  I    Oh, 

id. 

iy  away  into 
ih  and  heaps 
ht  pass  that 

ith  the  white 
Vith  bowed 

e,  was  to  be 

e.  He  wis 
arteris,  and 
i^e  enou^ 

Iy  until  the 
n ;  then  he 
lianging  his 

Alice  had 
that  obstar 
Id  ever  be 

f,  the  bri-Je 
re  of  relief 

HiitultleMlr 

>e  thonfht 
ktmf  roG». 


^^  ' 


— — "^ 


^SVCtt  A  MARRIAGE  N&VER   ITAS  MMFOMM*      ||| 


CHAPTER  X. 

"SUGH   A  MAD  MAltlUAOK   NIVIR  WAS   BKrOKS." 

IT  her  chamber-window,  very  early  in  the  mot ninf  d 
that  same  stormy  Christmas  awe,  looking  out  at  tlu 
whirling,  fast-falling  snow,  stood  Paulina.  Through 
^e  gray,  chill  light  her  face  shone  marble-j*ite,  mar 
ble-cold.  Her  lips  were  set  in  that  hard  line  of  iroc  resolution 
they  could  wear  at  times,  and  her  sombre  blue  eyei  looked 
straight  before  her  at  the  storm-drifts.  The  hour  had  come 
that  was  to  witness  the  crowning  recklessness  of  her  impulsive 
.  life.  The  same  defiant  spirit  that  had  long  ago  made  her  pass 
' a  night  alone  in  the  Haunted  Grange,  andgo  to  the  picnic  in 
inale  attire,  spurred  her  forward  still.  During  the  day  and  thv 
light  that  were  gone,  she  had  not  oncerlhought  of  hesitating 
»f  hn-ning  back.  To  falter  irresolutely  in  any  course,  whethei 
for  good  or  bad,  was  not  like  Paulina.  Come  weal,  come  woe, 
•he  would  go  straight  on  now  to  the  end. 

She  was  thinking  «his  as  she  stood  there,  her  heart  full  of  bit 
terness  and  anger  against  the  two  men  who  had  driven  her  tc 
tiiis  last  desperate  step. 

Mrs.  Oalbraith  had  brought  her  home  from  Twickenham,  fuU 
t/f  wonder  and  apprehension.  What  did  that  interview  in  the 
boudou-  with  Guy  mean  ?  With  any  other  man  it  would  have 
meant  a  proposal  of  marriage,  but  marriage  and  a  ruined 
spendthrift  were  not  to  be  connected  together.  During  the 
day  and  night  that  had  followed  Paulina  had  been  ceaselessly 
watched.  There  was  no  knowing  what  scch  a  girl  might  «^. 
And  Paulina  had  laughed  scornfully  at  the  surveillance. 

"What  are  you  afraid  of,  Mrs.   Galbiaith?"    she  asked] 
^diat  I'll  run  away  to  America,  or  the  anfpodes,  with  Gui 
Barlscourt  ?    He  hasn't  asked  me,  though  I  should  decided!}\ 
prefer  it  to  the  sort  of  life  I  have  been  leading  lately." 

Late  in  the  evening  of  the  night  preceding  this  snowy  mom- 
big,  she  had  spoken  to  her  maid  for  the  first  time.  The  girl,  as 
I  have  said,  was  a  well-trained  English  domestic,  otherwise  a 
bwum  auiofiU^OB,  only  hearing  to  obey.     Thi<  gvl,  howe¥e^ 


happened  to  be  attached  to  her  young  mistress.  With  the 
prmcely  spirit  Nature  had  given  her,  Miulina  had  been  lavisii 
•f  prescnto  and  gradous  words,  and  the  girl's  heart  was  woo, 


»  A'V,* 


.vjv, 


$il    •SUCIt  A  MARRUOB  NEVER  IVAS  BEPOItE^ 

"  Jane,"  Mies  Lisle  said,  "  I  want  you  to  do  me  a  great  ser 
Tice,  and  more,  l^-want  you  to  promise,  on  oath,  never  to  re 
1     w  ?^i?  any  human  creature  until  1  give  you  leave.     Dob'i 
look  frightened— I  am  not  going  to  ask  you  to  commit  atrima, 
©nly  to  keep  a  secret.     Are  you  willing  to ^wear?" 
Jane's  curiosity  was  rou&ed,  but  still  sl)c  hesitated 
"Of  course.  I  don't  ask  you  to  do  me  this  favor  for  nnth 
5P    \fi3s  l-jsle  went  on.     "What  is  done  for  nothing  in  thit 
irorld,  I  wonder?     Yoii  are  engaged  to  a  young  man  in  WaJei. 
I  think  you  told  me,  and  only  waiting  to  save  enough  to  be 
«».-ned.     Do  what  I  want  ttMJUy,  and  to-morrow  1  wiU  give 
fou  three  hundred  pounds." 

AH  Jane's  scruples  gave  way  at  this  magnificenj  offer-<uri- 
Mity  and  cupidity  combined  were  too  much  for  her.  She  took 
*he  oath  her  mistress  dictated,  and  then  waited  to  hear  what 
was  to  come.  \ 

"  I  am  going  to  be  married  to-morrow  morning,  Jane,"  Miss 
I.i8le  went  on.  "A  runaway  match,  remember,  and  you  are 
to  come  with  me  and  be  one  of  the  witnesses.  That  is  all  i 
Recollect,  though  you  are  bound  by  oath  never  to  speak  of  it 

u  ^li'^*)*  ''°"''  ""'^^^  '^'"'^  ^^y^  which  is  most  unlikely.  J 
snoUM  release  you  from  your  promise." 

Jane  pledged  herself  to  obey— site  was  a  subdued,  reticeii 
young  woman,  quite  capable  of  keeping  a  secret,  even  without 
an  oath.  And  then  Paulina  had  dismissed  her,  and  lain  down 
dressed  as  she  was,  to  sleep.  ' 

Condemned  criminals  sleep  on  the  night  preceding  execu- 
tion—Paulina  slept  now  deeply,  dreamlessly.  She  had  reio. 
lately  shut  out.  thought  from  the  first— she  troWd  not  think 
Pest  at  the  last  hour  she  might  falter  arid  draw  back.  There 
was  no  alternative  between  this  step  and  becoming  the  wife  of 
Lord  Montalien,  she  kept  repeating  to  herself,  and  vlcath  wen 
oetfer  than  that 

StkBding  here  now  she  drew  forth  her  watch,  and  looked  at 
ttit;  hour.     A  quarter  of  eight     At  this  very  moriient,  in  a  dis- 

ilfcit  part  of  the  city,  Alice  stood  waiting  for  the  man  she  loved 
ane  entered  the  roooi,  on  the  insunt,  with  mantle  an/1  hat 
f  essed  herself  to  quit  the  house.  * 

^     "There's   nobody  up  yet,  Miss   Paulina,"  she  whiapeied 
"owistije  lime,  if  you^ant  *o  get  away  unseen 


!L!li!!*  ^^^'  ^  you^want  *o  get  away  unseen.     I  bcf 

Cnu^pardoni  ^t5s,^Hir  «W>  you  change  ihose^btatlTdoti^Mt 
s  dreadfiil  bad  lurk  to  bif  raarried  in  black." 
INulin*  laughed  bitterly.     •'  If  i  wore  crape  from  hMd  t^ 


•3m»»i-f>. 


.4  Afl.-.J%t.Si4&i'*r->, 


Miss 


^SVCB  A  MARRIAGE  NEVER  WAS  BEFORE."     31] 

foot  It  would  be  the  fittest  attire  for  my  wedding.     Put  then 
on,  Jane,  at  Once." 

She  had  on  a  dr<;ss  of  soft,  noiseless  black  silk — th*;  plainest 
tei  her  wardrobe.  The  lady's-maid  threw  over  her  shoulden 
1  black-velvet  nuntle,  with  wide,  flowing  sleeves,  placed  on 
ibe  (air,  head  a  black  h9t,  with  a  long  black  ostrich  plume,  aadi 
k«w  down  a  thick  veil  of  black  lace. 

Tlie  girl  (inished  her  work,  and  regarded  this  sombre  biidt 
ffitb  almost  a  shudJer. 

"Im  a  |>oor  servant,"  ^he  thought,  "and  I  wouldnt  be 
tiarried  in  that  suit  for  all  Miss  Lisle's  great  fortune." 

"  Five  minutes  of  eight,"  Paubna  said ;  "  now,  then,  Jane, 
some."  ^ 

She  walked  out  of  the  rootn,  down  the  stairs,  along  the  front 
^11,  and  noitflessly  oi)ened  the  house  door.  The  drifting 
mow,  the  bitter  wind  blew  in  her  face,  and  seemed  beating  her 
back.  For  a  moment  sh6  did  pause,  turning  sick  and  faint. 
Great  Heaven!  what  was  this  she  was  about  to  do?  fhen 
die  hated  image  of  I^rd  Montalien  rose  before  her — a  vision 
of  that  dreary  old  house,  down  on  the  dreary  Kssex  coast — and 
her  last  hesiution  was  over.  She  never  paused  v>r  stopped  to 
fimk  again. 

"  There  is  the  cab  at.  the  comer  of  the  street,*  Jane  said : 
"  a  four-wheeled  cab,  and  see,  there  is  a  gentleman  waiting." 

It  was  Cluy — in  furred  cap  and  overcoat  pacing  to  and  uo  to 
keep  himself  warm.  He  espied  them  the  insunt  they  appeared, 
imd  came  rapidly  forward. 

"  Pnnrtual !  "  he  said.  "  It  is  eight  precisely.  Miss  Lisle ;  \ 
hope  you  are  well  wrapped,  the  morning  is  bitter.  Take  0/ 
inn — the  walking  is  dangerous." 

She  declined  with  a  pesrare — clinging  to  Jane. 

"Go  on,  Mr.  Earlscc  urt ;  we  will  follow  you." 

He  led  the  way  to  ths  caVv  *a1  held  the  door  open  for  tfieni 
to  ei.ter.  Then  he  closed  ii,  a^i  sprang  up  beside  the  driifer, 
Mlacing  himself  with  a  cigar. 

Pauhna  shrank  away  in  a  comer  of  the  cab,  her  vefl  held 
dghdy  over  her  face,  her  heart  Iving  cold  and  leaden  in  her 
breast  Jane's  quiet  face  b^traved  none  of  her  wonder  at  thu 
strangely  fomied  runaway  match,  where  the  bride  declined 
taking  the  bridegroom's  iirm,  and  the  bridegroom  mounted  uj^ 
and  rode  beside  cabb^  in  the  inowstomi. 

They  whirletl  impidly  along,  rit)  ward,  tfirouah  interadnable 
MNetf,  until  th^  ce«ch«d  tbMrear  oC  Temple   B«r.     OtiQt 
W 


I 


'\<,^^MiHSA%-r  t 


pi- 


'  -A 


jt4    **S(rCS  4  MARRl}tn  mVER  WAS  BEFORE.^ 

jpun  Paulina  looked  at  her  watcn .  a  quarter  past  dght.  sad 
the  cab  still  Hymg  along  ai  a  tremendous  pace.  ^^^ 

f  his  part  of  London  was.as  utterly  strange  to  her  as  a  rftim. 

'aguely,  that  Mr.  Earlscourt  need  come  all  thS  way  ?     T^ 
They  stopped  abruptly  at  last,  the  cab  door  opened  t^ 

»TUy  stood  ready  to  help  them  out  v^*"^  *^ 

"This  is  the  place,"  he  said,  briefly ;  « allow  me "  '        '  ' 

.^\  A  I  ^'^^""^  ^*."''"*  *^*"'"'  '^^'^  her  hand  within  his  vm 

K^i^   ^^'  ""^^'^  ^  ^^  ^"^'^  ^  »  '°"«d  «ove,  and  a  cuS, 
little  boy  was  sweeping,  ' 

;;  Where  is  iVIr.  Markham?"  Guy  asked  the  boy. 

'Been  called  away  sudden,  sir.  Left  word,  if  a  party  came 
to  be  married,  he  would  be  back  in  ten  minutes,  aTHu^ 
to  take  a  seat  and  wait."  »,  «"iu  yuu  was 

He  placed  seats  befor^  the  stove,  staring  hard  at  the  kdv 
dressed  in  black  and  closely  veiled.  6       "  «  me  laay 

"Biased  if  /  ever  see  such  a  bride,"  he  thought :« looks 
ottore  like  a  funeral,  I  should  sa>/'  ^     '  ..." 

frorn'of^re'to";'."'"'''  '''"  ^''''  ^"  *  ^-^«™  ^%Jr  in 
"This  <lelay  is  too  bad,"  he  said.     «  I  saw  the  reeistrar  ves- 
terday    and  he  promised  to   be  punctual.     1  hopf  y^  l^vl 
not  suffered  from  the  cold.  Miss  Lisle  ?  "  ^ 

«?h?!ir*\'^r^""«.  ^''*^"  ^'  '^^  ^i^"''^'  but  scarcely  with  coil 
hfs  h,n7"\K'°'".  '^v  ^"."^  °^  '"^  ^°'^«'  fr"'"  the  touch  i 
Thlu  ?'»,'^'*'  *  ^^^''"^  °^  intolerable  shame.  What  must  he 
Amk  of  her-a  woman  who  had  asked  hmi  to  marry  hei^  or  m 

bov  ci^I;H"h.-P''''^°""^  *"^"^^  ^'"  "P°"  *he  little  room.  Tlie 
S^Ld^^n  ,  7*=^«»"g.  to  stare  ;  the  cabman  in  ihe  doorww 
shifted  uneasily  from  one  foot  to  the  other.  Guv  stood  n^ 
Ae  window,  whistling  softly  and  watching  the  w7irr^,ro^ 

STw^o^'  '^'''T?  ^"'^'^  ^"^  "^'^°"*«  and^  wondering  hoi  SS 
pwsome  wedding  was  going  to  e.  1 ;  and  the  bride  elect  b 

Z.i  ^  '^'^'^'y  *"^  ^*^'*'  **^  '^•^  »  statue  ,f  dark  SlS 
neither  speaking  nor  moving,  -^roie, 

Il^^fif^r?'  ^'^"ty  minute,  passed,  and  still  no  registrw. 
It  TOted  but  a  quarter  of  nine  now.     Guy  lost  all  pTrcwi 


He  promised  faithfiiUy  to  be   here  at  h«lf.pMt 


■^v: 


\ 


eight,  aad 

i  trondered 

?        ^  ^ 

.       « 

in  his  trm 

dark  lAd 

ad  a  dirt  J 


•arty  came 
d  you  was 

Lt  the  lady 


istrar  yes- 
yo\x  have 

nth  ccli 
touch  ai 
t  must  he 
ler,  or  ai 

tn.  Tb« 
doorway 
Kx)  neat 
tg  «roir. 
huw  thi« 
elect,  in 
surble, 

registrac 
pii::encc 


hat  dbef 
half-pan 


??'"«  is. 


'*SirCJl  A  CARRIAGE  tfMASR   fTAS  RRFORM.-     m 

aij^t,  and  now  it  ^<  almost  ^lin•*,     My  lad,  here's  a  crown  for 
you — go  and  fetch  him." 

Nd  need.  Th#  door  opened  on  the  instant,  and  a  liveh 
little  red-fa<;ed  man  came/ in.  ; 

"  Kept  you  waning,  sir  ?     Ah  ! "  as  Guy  answered   impa 
^  dently  ;  "  verf  8%>i  ry,  tint  unavoidably  detamed.     Now,  then 
{f  the  lady  wil!  staA.d  up,  and  the  witnesses, approach,  we'll  d( 
ftai  little  iob  for  y\»U  in  a  twinkling." 

Her  hesirt  was  throbbing  with  almost  sickening  rapidity  non 
— ^irobbins  so  that  <«he  turned  sick  and  faint  once  more.  She 
lovked  about  her  for  \  second  with  a  wild  instinct  of  Hight,  bui 
tt  was  too  late,  .puy  had  led  her  forward — how  firm,  how  res 
olute  his  clasp  sealed  * — and  she  was  standing  before  the  legal 
official,  answerijig,  as  she  was  told  to  answer,  and  hearint 
Guy's  clear,  dc^p  toner  as  in  a  dceaniy  swoon.  She  heard, 
.  still  faintly  and;'  far  off,  i\  seemed,  the  solenm  words,  "  1  pro 
nounce  ytsh  .man  and  wife,"  and  then  she  was  signing  hei 
name  in<va  big  book,  and  feeling  xather  than  seeing  the  little 
red-faced  man  starmg  at  Ser-curiously^  and  knew  that  •the  was 
the  wife  of  Guy  Earlccourt'!  .    '^ 

Thi  registrar  placed  a  sl.p  of  paperKn  her  hand. 

•^  Your  marriage  certific7*e,  madame,"  he  said,  with  a  bow  ; 
"  pennit  me  to  offer  my  congratulations,  Mrs.  Earlscourt." 

I'here  was  a  chair  nelr — she  grasped  it  to  keep  from  falling 
Tlie  room,  the  faces  swam  diitily  before  her  for  a  second,  then 
by  a  great-  effort  she  mastered  the  deathly  feeling,  and  stood 
erect  Guy  was  watching  hei  ;  she  shrank  guiltily  from  his 
gaze.  He  wat  very  grave,  but  as  perfectly  cool  and  collected 
as  she  nad  ever  seen  him  in  his  aost  CMeless  hours. 

The  clocks  cf  the  district  were  rtriking  nme  as  they  left  th<r 
office  and  re-entered  the  cab  ;  and  once  agam  (my  mounted  to 
his  seal  wi:h  the  driver,  to  face  the  December  blasts,  s^id 
nnokc  a  scond  consoling  cigar.  As  before,  Paulina  sat  in 
dead  silence  during  the  homeward  drive. 

Tliirty  minutes'  rapid  driving  brought  th'nn  to  Berkele) 
Squats.  In  front  of  Sir  Vane  Charteris'  Diansion  the  cab 
ltop|H:d,  and  \fr.  Rarlscourt  assisted  them  to  alight.  Then 
Paulina  directly  addressed  him  for  the  first  time 

*'  I  shall  tell  Sir  Vane  Charteris,  the  moment  I  enter,  what 

ku  taken  pu*«/'  she  hunicaly  said:   "and  if  ycu  will  caU, 

within  an  hour  or  so,  tlv   '>tlwr  busir-ss  of  pajnhg  oVer  tilt 
liirty  thousand  pounds  will  be  transacted." 

**  1  will  call"  Guy  answered,  bnetly,  "  if  I  may  we  jtm  fiv 
*  OMMneot  ID  say  faurewelL" 


A 


^  lir^r  B-'^'V  \^    i  I 


.M 


I'  .' 

it,  I 


whole  extn«rS^  iXJJin^     „*^^*"''"'''»*"''^'"«1  *« 
8m  lime,  «Kl  Te,  hfs  ai^L  .."""*  "N"  ''"  «''  '"  •l^' 

•we  wholJ;  gone  iii»    ■    '"°*°"-     Weiknen  and  fauilaiK 
^M:»   l-ile,"  he    demanded,    .temlr,   "wW   doe.    to 

^-ve"unt'<^i.™f?eT'he^ttl'**';K  ^""''"'^  "  •« 

Earascourt?"         '^^'"^  *»  <»<«"»•      "You  have  mamed  Gu, 
••ihavemamcdGuvEarlSfcourtl"         ' 

o-^me^Wh^a^^Sars^^^^^^^^  2 

I  would  ha,ee^,^bvlai      ^      i^f"  "°°'^"  '""l"^ 
•fhi.enleha.mam^dme  1^5'fr,2l''  '^l""^"^  o"  <^  <« 


fc„-^_~  '  r* ""  »"*^*^  yo"  certainly  would  not     Mr  K««'ii«>^ 
»«»»..«,  happen,  u,  po«e«  A.'n-nlmJS'-.nd  ^eS^ 


I  ,S&,>'--.- 


fflHpa^par!^^*^^ 


"""S-vf^g^ys'T'- 


[>the  stepi 
arched  the 
\Vhai  did 
afte  a:i? 
eij  for  thr 
1  flashing, 
idacHy,  iS. 
I  fainiiieM 

does    thia 

Lrth  frown 
i^ — van- 
our  slave, 
ns  that  I 

»Iy  as  h<? 
what  had 

;nt.  Hn 
fore  him 
fn  back, 
ied  Guy 


face— .£4 
r  thf  n — 
1  nQit  to 
-her  for. 

u-d  and 
ther   t9 

him  l4 

J  over 
iiry  inc 

a  man 
escape, 
he  eve 
»er." 

a  lad; 


••ir  t» 


•*SUCy  K  UAXRIAGE  NEVER    VAS  BBFOES.-    ^h 

leave  Me  free  in  the  hour  that  makes  me  his  wife.  Do  you 
think,  Sir  Vane,  I  am  going  to  let  the  worki  know  my  siscret  ? 
— <lo  you  thmk  I^would  have  married  Mr.firiscburt  if  he  had 
meant  "to  remam  in  Kn^land?  He  has  sworn  never  to  betrav 
the  tectet  of  o«ir  mamage,  and  he  will  keep  his  oath.  In  an 
tour  he  wilt  be  here,  and  you  are  to  make  over  to  him  the  h«i2 
.  M  rny  fortune— forty  thousand  pounds,  jfn  two  days  he  leavei 
KDgland,  and — forever." 

She  turned  to  quit  the  room— the  beinldered  baronet  de 
nuned  he:. 

"  I'or  Heaven's  sake,'  Paulina,  wait  I     I  don't  understand— 

I    cant    understand.      Do    you  mean    to  say  this    mamam 

if    no    marriage?      That    Guy   Karlscourt    leaves     you    free 

and    forever?     That    he    goes   from    England   never  to   re^ 

,  turn,  while  you  remain  here  ?  " 

"  Precisely  I  You  can't  comprehenti  such  generosity  as  thM, 
can  you?  K»«  would  act  very  differently  under  the  circum- 
stances,  and  so  would  his  immaculate  brother,  Ix)rd  Monulien. 
But  there  are  true  men.  This  mamagp  shall  never  be  made 
oubhcif  you  keep  the  secret— my  maid  is  sworn  to  secrecy,  and 

shall  still  be  Miss  Lisle  and  your  ward  in  the  eyes  of  the 
world,  if,  however,  you  prefer  it  otherwise— then  I  shall  take 
care  to  show  you  a^  you  are  to  society— a  guardian  so  base,  so 
tyrannical,  that  he  drove  his  ward  to  the  maddest  step  eves 
womaiiaook.     Now  choose  I '' 

She  stood  before  him  in  her  beauty  and  her  pride,  more 
defiantly  bright  than  he  had  ever  seen  her.  He  knew  her  well 
"nough  t9  know  she  would,  to  the  letter,  keep  her  word.  He 
came  forwiard  suddenly,  and  took  her  hand. 

•'I  will  keep  your  secret,  Paulina,"  he  said;  "and  I  bea 
^ou  to  forgive  me  if  1  have  been  harsh.  I  have  been  driven  to 
rt— I  have  indeed— I  am  in  Lord  Montalien's  power,  and  he 
foiced  me  to  this.  I  wiU  keep  your  secret— from  hun,  from  my 
Mster— from  the  world.  I.et  things  go  on  as  though  this  stranira 
aumaje  had  never  taken  place ;  you  are  free  to  do  in  «1! 
thinp  as  you  will-  I,  in  the  eyes  of  society,  your  guardian  still 
I  am  sorry  for  the  past ;  1  can  say  no  more.  Pauhna.  wil  yea 
tiy  to  forgive  me  r  " 

"  I  will  try,"  she  answered,  bitterly,  and  gathering  her  ni,i.-Mf 
*bout  hfis  quitted  the  room.  '    | 

^**g  ^g"<  "P  to  her  own,  threw  off  her  wraps,  felt  «n  h^ 

"Cieei  Dy  the  bedside,  and  hrried  Tier  face  in  the  satin  coverlet 

S)ie  iJMi  np  te»n,  though  her  tmn  wu  tuU ;   ipe  only  ^i 


ST'Mf  1       '4  k^it?^  ^    ^      ^ 


0 


9 


■^ 


y 


iC**.     f\  1^  > 


ll         » 


^    -SUCM  A  MAKJf/AGE  2^SVEA  ^aS  bEFOMK.* 

-rick,  tired,  numbed,  as  though  sWe  never  qired  to  i\u 

S^cd  atldl'""^^  ""^  ""     ^^.  ^^-»  «^--  J*- 
Jlif  n  P'*''^'  ^'"  ^"''"*'  Sir  Vane  sends  his  c«,apli 

S^Vtw— ^'^^^  '^^»''°""  ^°  '^^^  "»^'->-  ^V"S 

^  W^  'T  u^  ,*J°*'y' Pa'*"ft»"y.  and  went  down.     It  was  do* 

«.?  J  'a*"*".'"^  ^K""'  ^"^  'ocJ^^rf  the  door  the  inTanl  «'.. 
Sf  ;^.  .'^""'^"^  fig-iVller.  slighter,  stood  lean  "g  a«* in< 
n'Sd"ar^,r"^™^'K-othehre.    At .,.  Pau^uKI 

voL^'''^hat'^S?'];^f  ^'■•'\^'^  ^"°"^^  ^'^  •'"  »>»  '"o^t  kind!, 

"  ThatTi  of*;!"  "'"^  ''^''''^  'y^'-  ^-y  -^"-^      - 

I  uj  part  of  the  compact  was  not  in  the  bond  at  least  U 
I  have  served  you  I  an,  content  Kcan  only  ho,  J  that  thi 
d^n.ay  never  come  when  you  will  regr^  morthryou  do  a! 
ft^t    thave°ffi'"°t     'r  ^^  "'W.  I  distUly  rt 

M.  oirer  would  ^  a  degradation  you  must^,/  „"  to  d" 

Pfuuauuiiy,    out  If,  at  the  other  side  of  the  woWrf    thm  v<o.; 

.  «»ne.  when  my  wrecked  fortunes  are  retrieved,  a,f^^  I  "^^^ 

tenj^with  honor,  I  ^1  return.     That.   too.  was  noi  TiS 

"  Vnlr'^n'*  **  ^^^r^^^nbling-white  to  the  Kps. 
>  You  will  return."  she  slowly  repeated. 
U  I  can,  with  credit  to  myseU— witft,  my  debt?  oaid  ■ 
tt«ainly.     But  you  need  ha/e  no  fear :   "  mU  ^1^™;  :^ 


u 
L 
s 
h 
h 
« 
h 
h 
d 
ll 


.<u-.:)i{^iiii,«»UD,,»,. 


r  ♦.^i; 


u-ed  to  riM 

te  rao.min| 
levan  Jaup 

lis  c«iapli 

[t  WAS   (104 

hisw 

nsant  s!)« 
''g  agatnsf 
lulina  did 

ost  kindl)* 
r  fortune 

0  it 

least  II 
!  that  the 
yon  do  at 
:inctly  ro- 
ll a  lower 
ur  gener- 
ne  to  dc- 
\  huinaii 
the  (iay 

1  can  re- 
t  in  the 


ny  oatA 
r  iecf«t\ 
ain,  will  \ 
brother,    \ 
for  the 
e  I  go." 
ch  rare 
I  before^ 
held,  in 
erhr^ 


■»* 


"  Jt^CJSr  ^  MARRIAGE  NEVER  WAS  BEFORE,'^    jig 

9 
nvcit  out  to  hini — and  in  that  moment  she  knew  that  the  lov«d 
die  man  she  had  piarried. 

She  gave  him  her  hand— her  proud  head  diooping  in  an 
agony  of  shame,  of  lemorse,  of  pity,  of  tenderr.ess.  If  her  lift 
had  depended  on  it,  she  could  not  have  s|X)k-i  even  the  "  good 
«p<«d''  he  asked.  Her  finger^  icy-cold,  were  clasped  for  a 
second  m  his  wirm,  firm  grasj^— one  half-sad,  half-smiling  kwk 
hxita  th-  hrow-n  ey's,  and  then  she  hatl  fled  from  the  room. 

rtxcy  rad  parted  -perhaps  forever,  and  in  theTibur  that  iht 
ic<t  hun,  she  knew  that  she  loved  him  with  a  love  that  wouW 
U«t  a  life.  She  was  his  wife,  but  she  would  have  died  a  thou 
sand  deaths  rather  than  say,  "  (i'.uy,  don't  go  f  "  and  she  knew 
how  utterly  unavailing  the  words  wonia  have  been,  if  she  could 
have  crushed  down  her  woman's  pride  and  sicken  them.  It 
was  as  fixed  as  fate  that  he  should  go.  And  so  she  had  taken 
her  leap  m  the  dark— taken  it  blindly— *lesi)erately,  to  save 
herself  from  a  worse  fate.  And  the  hour  of  her  bridehood  wa» 
the  hour  of  her  widowhootl— in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  words 
■he  wis  Wedded,  Yet  No  Wife  ! 

Two  days  after  the  "  Oneida"  steamed  down  the  Solent  fram 
SaatSampton,  bearing  away  to  his  U»ng  ^e  Guy  i:arliCovt 


n^,.*^... 


^jM^k^>:k-«^.,''v%-^i^'-^:i^^^t^^^»«fai^i^ 


PART  FOURTH. 


iCJIAPTER  L 


AmtK  m  rtxas. 

T  was  a  hotiiight  in  Virginia. 

Up  and  down  a  long,  bve-Iookinff  room,  an  o^Cca 
paced  restlessly,  his  haniTs  crossed  behind  him,  hu 
brow  beni,  his  e"-5  ftxed  on  the  floor.  The  roooi  wmt 
Ae  private  a|>artnient  of  --.«  officer  commanding  the  catralry 
division  «ution«l  for  the  time  at  this  outjiost,  and  the  cfficei 
was  Colonel  Hawksiey,  of  the  — th.  He  was  a  very  tall,  very 
fair  nian,  this  Colonel  Hawksiey,  with  a  face  so  thoroighly 
Saxon  that  not  all  the  bronze  of  foreign  suns  could  hide  his 
oationaluy.  He  had  dark,  close-cropped,  brown  hair,  a 
niagnihcent  Uwny  beard  and  nmsuche,  and  eyes  blue  and 
bnghi  an  the  Virginia  sky  without  He  was  a  man  of  six  and 
fir>rtvj  inagmficently  proportioned— a  model  for  an  atf.letic 
*/oilo  -looking  younger  than  his  years,  despite  the  tilvei 
duetds  streaking  his  br.wn  hair  and  ih*.  deep  lines  that  care  a 
iiought  had  ploughed  along  his  broad  brt  w. 

Up  an<l  down,  up  and  down.  Colonel  Hawksiey  paced*  witk 
ttut  ihoughtfti,  frown,  for  up«arii  of  an  hour. 

"  M^  I.  he  ?  "  he  muttered,  half  aloud  ;  "  #hat  is  he  to  her  t 
If  anything,  why  is  he  here  ?  -if  nothing,  how  came  he  by  he} 
pictme?     i^e^i>igh»  is  faw  ;  he  ir  siitRciemly-  rrcovgrrrt  tr 


valk  uvei.     I  have  haif  a  miad  k.  s*nd  hx  lua,  leatore  him  hit 


4FTEM  SIX   YE4MS, 


\1\ 


Re  topped  to  glance  out  at  the  night  The  great,  bright 
Southern  stars  blazed  in  a  cloudless  sky,  not  a  breath  3f  aiii 
stirred  the  hot  stillness^— it  was  certainly  quite  fine  enoi<gh  foi 
any  one  to  venture  out  The  colonel  rang  a  handbell,  with  a 
look  of  decision.     An  orderly  appeared. 

"Go  to  the  hospital,  and  w^jicst  Lieut snant  Eailsroun^  ? 
]aits  able,  to  wait  ui>on  ma  hsre." 

1  he  soldier  touched  his  cap  and  withdrew. 

1  he  colonel  glanced  at  a  little  package  lying  upon  the  ta^lfi^ 
.it  wa»  a  gold  repeater,  set  with  jewels,  and  hanging  from  ibi 
•lender  gold  chain. a  locket  of  rare  beauty  and  wuiknvmshipi 
The  officer  took  up  this  locket,  touched  the  spring,  and  looked 
long  and  earnestly  at  the  face  within.  A  beautiful  and  noblf 
&ce,  and  a  graceful,  girlish  throat — the  photograph  of  Paulina 
Lisle. 

"  What  is  he  to  her? — how  comes  he  to  wear  her  portrait  1* 
Does  he  know  ? — but  of  course  he  doesn't  I  It  is  strange-^ 
strange."  v 

It  was  somewhat  The  circumstances  were  these :  A  battle 
had  taken  place  five  weeks  before  ;  aftd  during  the  heat  of  th« 
engagement,  Colonel  Hawksley's  attention  had  been  attracted 
by  a  young  officer  of  his  own  troop,  whose  cool  courage  and 
superb  fighting  rendered  him  conspicuous  even  in  that  hour 
The  battle  had  raged  from  early  lyoming  until  dark,  and  al 
day  long,  where  the  fire  was  hottest  and  the  blows  fell  thickest, 
the  dark  face  and  tall  form  of  .Lieutenant  Guy  Earlscourt  ha^ 
been  foremost  And  at  last;  as  victonr  turned  in  tneu  favor, 
half  a  dozen  tremendous  blows  aiiiaed  at  him  at  once  had 
hurled  him  from  his  saddl*-  "  Killed,"  the  colonel  thought, 
with  a  passing  pang  of  regret,  beyond  a  doubt. 

It  looked  like  it  when  they  carried  his  senseless  form  into 
the  hospital,  and  among  the  list  of  "  killed  "  retun^ed  after  tkf' 
fray  was  the  name  of  "  Lieutenant  Guy  Earlscouit"  Hut  kt 
bad  not  died.  Covered  with  wounds  from  head  to  foot  there 
was  U'Jt  as  it  turned  out,  one  of  them  mortal,  oot  even  vet| 
dangerous. 

In  five  weeks  Lieutenant  EarlscouH  wu  able  to  quit  hit 
bed,  and  walk  about,  for  a  few  moments  at  a  tune,  in  the  hos- 
pital yard. 


0B^e  day  aucceedtnf  the  batty,  white  he  still  Ity  setkaetettr 
lus  colonel  had  visited  the  hospital  ex|>ressly  to  make  inquiriet 
after  hun.     The  yoisig  man  h<id  fought  so  daringly,  his  cool 
had  been  so  reinarkabie,  and  sooaethinc,  in  kia  geneni 


'J,  ^-h''    ,. 


ia.-iJ'S*  ^.HlSwsi'*,  *J*AAf$i  ^tf.,1 


\--r 


yM 


Jt^rMJf  srx   YMAM'S 


!#-. 

♦  ^ 


f-. 


^^- 


Uli 


hJier  iriarked  him  different  from  hj'a  conuixled  Ri 
toy  tenibly  like  lea±  dowj  but  the  we  Nau.y  of  his  Ujcc  tbet 
to<l  loade  hun  the  pet  of  boudoirs  in  another  land,  that  had 
matle  scores  of  high-bom  beauties  smile  upon  hini,  wai  rn- 
ttwrred  still.  VTiiter,  colder  than  marble,  he  lay— the  breath 
KA\<^  Stirring  hij  bloodless  lips. 
-Poor  lad!"   Colonel  Hawksley  said,  looking  down  upoo 

-  Mm  with  real  regret ;  "he  fought  like  a  lion  yesterday.     Wh% 
\l  hci^  anl  where  does  he  belong  ?" 

N  9  one  knew.  Except  his  narae,  and  that  he  had  entered 
me  ran<s  as  a  private,  there  was  simply  nothing   whatever 

-  kno^n  of  his  story. 

"  iMok  here,  colonel,"  the  nnrse  said ;  "  this  belongs  to  him, 
•10  ahouid  be  taken  care  of  until  we  see  if  the  poor  fellow  re- 
Mnrws.     His  n*jne  is  on  it — engraved  here  on  the  ca-je." 

She  handed  him  the  goUl  watch  and  chain  and  lockefr 
Eitht  r  intentionally  or  by  accident,  she  touched  the  spring  in 
i4?'d,iii^  It,  and  the  locket  flew  open.  And  Color..el  Hawksley 
witn  a  s-irtled  exclamation,  caught  it  up,  and  looked  in  amare 
upon  his  daughter's  fair,  proudi^face. 

h  »<as  a  vignette  of  Paulina  |^isle  bevond  a  doubt.  He  wore 
one  tiear  his  own  heart,  a  latei\  picture,  in  which  tho  exquisite 
Bice  looked  older,  graver,  less  brightly  smihng  than  in  this-, 
but  tlie  i»,inie.  ' 

This  utranger  was  an  Englislunan,  then,  and  had  knows 
Paulina. 

He  examined  the  watch  ctossly.  iSeside  his  name  it  bore 
tlie  crest  of  a  noble  house— a  mailed  hand,  and  the  motto. 
"Semper  Kidelis." 

C«lon.il  Hawksle/s  interest  deepened  to  intense  curiosity— 
m\o  was  this  young  man  who  had  entered  thi  ranks  of  dieii 
Bimy  as  a  common  soldier,  and  who  wore  his  daughter's  pic*^» 
ftkd  the  crest  of  an  English  nobleman  ?  f     - 

'■«  lie  looks  like  an  Englishman,  iti  spite  of  his  olive  skin  and 
|«t  Wack  hau  and  musucb.?.  Heaven  send  him  a  speedy  re 
Ooveiy,  or  1  shall  perish  miserably  of  curiosity." 

The  colonel's  prayer  was  Mieard— Lieutenant  Earlsccuifi 
•*'^<"'crr  ^a»  astonishing  in  its  rapidity,  conoid :ring  his  doxeo 
iroanifl.  And  on  this  night  rnspens^  was  to  b^j  Ixinie  do 
looget,  and  Cohmel  Hiwksley  had  diipatciied  tlur  ord«ily  lo 
Winitton  the  invalid  Heio  tn  h\%  pr';»ence. 


Tifte^n  ounute*  wore  away.     Then  Uie  orderyi  knock  cmm 


to  the  door. 


.,,. 


4PTa»-srx  n4»A 


m 


is  Uxx  thiBt 
d,  that  had 

ni,  WAt    I'D- 

-the  bfcatb 

jown  upoD 
day.     Hli« 

lad  entered 
5 '  whatevei 

ngs  to  him, 

r  fellow  r© 

ase." 

nd  locked 

e  spring  in 

llawlcsley, 

d  in  aniaze 

He  wore 

<;  exquisite 
L  in  thi»-- 

ad   kiiowB 

me  it  bore 
he  motto, 

:uriosity— 
ks  of  theit 
It's  picV*r* 

e  skin  and 
speedy  re 

arlscooifi 
his  ^ottn 
licinie  DO 
ordcily  to 


lock  ctMm 


*Oww  lii^'' the  colond  cffcd,  ffingint  hhwrtf  fcr  A*  &- 

Coort  stood  before  hmi,  with  a  military  salute. 
Vou  sent  for  me,  colonel  ?  " 
"I  did,  sir.     Come  in  and  Uke  a  seat;  yoa  are  unfit  te 

••  None  whatever,  colonel,  I  am  hafipy  to  uy.     Mv  scratch^ 
i-^prctty  wcU  heled-l  shaU  t^T^'fo.  service  I^'^^ 

HiS'the^ll^lT^  smUed-he  liked  the  bold,  soldierly  spirit-^-he 
,"  Hardly,      fear,"  he  «ud,  and  mdeed'the  lieuteninL  with 

tLTo„*";?'?'^  to  ask  p„  a  few  flue.tions  fo^^oth^i  ' 
uaen  a  seat  at  the  d*t«ue  oi  hu  officer,  and  tb-  lamplight  Si 

^^e^^blu.^'^'^K    *^""  ******  ^  •~"'^'  ""*  whether  SS 

fk  .  r*^^*"'e.     Persia  me  to  return  it  to  iron,  and  To  nwl 
Guv  Eailscourt  took  his  property.     To  be  v^-rv  mach  «ir 

A  Je^'SJTJ''^  '*>  dKl  you?    1  rtwoldB'tluve  thouih"^ 
h  very  handsome  face,  coloneU-is  it  not  ?  " 

ir»p^':::i  Jl:.d^'!r  tS'^^^  *«•*  ^  ^-  ^^^  •  p»«^ 

ta.^f  *'I.*?r  i'?*15**  ^'"K  *"^  earnestly  at  this  secuod  pic 

a^MjiiUuia^att  years -older  than  when  He  had  w^p  set  tiiC— 
■we  beautiful  inher  sutely  wouuiah^  even  th««  the  tirSt 
^rtiih  free  aad  forai  ^  remember«d  so  veil  ^'^ 


'i  j.         "^s 


S*4 


AfTER    SIX  'YEAmX 


He  handed  it  back  with  a  bow  and  smile, 
crown TbTautr'"'!?!  '*  '  '^'^  '"^  "^''  '°  **^«^'"«  '^«»'«'- 

not  the  k*-  d  of  f.^r      ''*^^*^«"'^*^  'hat  face  anywhe«.      It   s 
uui  me  K.wa  of  face  one  sees  every  day  "  '  ■■ 

His  colonel  watched  him  as  he  s,>oke-keenlv^lo.elv 
ou.  Hu  «ereac  counten^ce  kept  hiJ  secretsnitel^^',!!;; 

''Mr.  Earlscourt."  he  said,  abruptly,  "lam  mxn^  to  Mk 

^i*  Ai -tcqiuiixtufce.,  colonel,  <rnora  I  met  in  aD  about  a«;7  • 

fch  "*"  ?  "''  '^•^  '^^  *^"^=^"'^  '"  "^^  ««"»  *now  S  1 
have  the  audaaty  tv  *«ai  her  picture      :  was  »ni,Uv  of  uettJ 

Urceny-ab5trz:.t«d  ii  iotn  a  friends  afnun.  .o  fhl  eve  of  m^ 
departure  from  Kt^jUxkI  I  a«imired  M.ss  Lu.e  ve-  much,  aJ 
S.^S^Ti'^'m"^  ^'*  '^'  ha,.,>.ress  of^knu^ng  h.r  and" 
^the  We  1  iefc.     That  u  the  history  of  her  H»ctuxe  m  m, 

«v!!^J*l!{  ***t  *"^i'*  ^™  ''*^**  "*^^^  »"'*  habit  both  had 

«iht"hlv'^bi:o-i"  ^"'  "^"'''^^  "^^ " '  !^^^  y-  • 

Ijl"^  "^l^,?^  ^"^^l    ^"^  *^°'^"*^  I  ""^^^  ''"  that     Mis, 

iSi  ^S.     '  '"'t^  ***f "^y-  *"*^  *^"  «^"'  ^*>""°^  *>"  »iw 

EJ^Thn^J"     ""^  ^""""'^  '"*^^-      O"*^  "^«ht  as  K«n   Ion 
•oaie  bnght  particular  •tar.-etc" 

,  I^A  whim,  perhapt,  like  wearing  Miai  Liale't  pwtrmiL" 
"  You  are  an  Engb^hnuii,  ai  leaat." 
*•  Undoubtedly,  coloawt," 

coo^V'  "^  ^^  °**"^  ^**"  **""  foa'firtt  came  t«  tlui 

••  Sti  fean,  preciiely,  nexi  January." 

kal .  ^.  *?"'*  ""^  questions  are  intri,«Ve^lmpertin«nt.  per 
iiff*.  but  1  am  ail  Kngiishman  my.df,  ar,d.  icuihow^-S^ 
-»«ir»i«rmtereilU,youL     You  remind  mc-your  v-Kt^.^^^ 
I— «<  QQ0  Whom  1  knew  nrant/twe  y«tt»  m*     \  t;^ 


I  I 


(u 


n«^ 


AFTEJf  SIX  YEAKS. 


325 


der  if  you  knew  hira-he  was  a  man  of  rank-Lord  Monta' 
His  lieutenant  looked  at  the  speaker,  suddenly,  with  a  new 

h" rSer's^nZ^:  T"'^'  ''  ^'^  ^^^"^^  "^^  th^e  nltL'cJ 
w!  I  .  L"^l^"  ^y^c^mt  clear.  Why.  the  vf  ry  name  of 
Hawksieyai,,^.hthave  tolJ  him.  taken  in  connection  w^t^the 
recognition  ot  1  aulina's  picture,  this  man  was  her  faXr 

"  Vou  k.e^vr  l.ord  MontaJi.n  r  Colond  Hawksl<^y  'aid 
leann,g  forward.    Your  face  shows  it.  at  Last.  You  are  like 
h.m  yet  un.ike.     Was  he  anything  to  you  ?"       ^°"  ^'^ '^'^^ 

„  ••  \/«  11,  yes  ;  he  was  my  father." 

"  ".Your  father?"  - 


t( 


Yes,  colonel.     You  were  not  aware  Derhan<s  nnr  fo«,ji.. 

oT-'f  l^fr^l  •  ^^  ^^^-  br<4erToo\'?he°tU  e^poJ 
o.r  father^*  death,  and  I-wcH,  I  mav  as  well  own  h-I 
squandered  my  patrimony  and  was  oWiged  to  fly  fn7m  LI 
.,  land  su  years  a;^o,over  head  and  ears  in  debt.  ThaT  ismv 
story.     Icametothiscount.ytoretrievemyfallen  fortunes^ 

K:.U  ^T'  If  f ^^r.'^"''e<'  ¥  the  New  York  docks '•' 

Coloiel  Ha.vksley  listened,  his  t-yes  ht  up  his  fac^  full  nf 
won.ler  and  eager  interest.  ^  ^  ^""  °* 

••  And  have  you  retrieved  them  ?" 

'Weil,  partly  I  have  managcdin  those  six  years  to  oav 
off  the  greater  half  of  my  debts.  I  fancy  it  will  he  haH 
dozen  years  njore,  however,  before  I  have  sumdemly  cleared 
o£f  my  incumbrances  to  retufn."       .  '       "/^'*^area, 

'•  You  mtan  to  return  }" 

«'  Decid  dly— as  soon  as  I  can  " 

JnloCfn'r"""""  "''  '""•  *■"«  -cceededin  doing 

Guv  lau^'hed. 
,./'  ^"^  l'^  ^' '^'»&'  colonel;  I  was ahvavs  a  Bohemian-the 
Ufe-i,ted  ,„e.  .nc  i  it.rned  journalist, magazine  writer  1.0.. k 
rra<.r-all  that  the.eis  of  ih.  mbst  h  erafy  I  LTieve  I  have 
c.M.t..bu  ed  to  half  the  periodicals  of  America  andTofidon 
\ou  may,  by  chance,  have  lit  on  the  non,  Jep/um,  of  ~" 

in  "i^^^Z^-^S::^?!!^:^^^ ^-  --  ^-ous  now, 
>  P^^i^l^^l'L:;^:^^'  -•'--  yP-  the  author  of 


<f' 


•'lam." 

"  And  of '  Gold  and  GUtteri' 
*'  Yes." 

"Why,  you  .hould  have  realized  a  fortune  from  the  sale  of 


j^ 


.  AsJ^y 


■1 


J>« 


jiitTiM  srx  rMAMX 


iImmw  tv»  vtxrki  akme.    Thdr  popularity  orer  here  hu  bMi 
■omething  iirnnente." 

'^They  have  paid  tolerably  weD— If  they  had  not  I  thonld 
■At  have  been  able,  at  1  have  told  you,  to  p«y  olf  the  larger 
portion  of  my  debts.  My  estiavagancei  in  the  past  make  my 
very  hair  rise  now.  I'na  a  reformed  character,  colonel ;  thcrf 
«u  great  room  for  improvement,  too,  1  assiue  you.  I  pfvsvnd 
my  scribbling  here  in  camp  ;  it  passes  one's  leisure  hours,  sad 
•s  fu  as  remuneratjon  goes,  I  find  the  pen  decidedly  *  uu|^ua 
dMUi  the  sword.' " 

"  Mr.  Earlsconrf,"  the  colonel  said,  "  you  are  one  of  the 
devsrest  novehsu  of  the  day."  Mr.  Earlscourt  bowed  with 
gravity.  **  You  are  destined  to  become  a  famous  man,  and  I 
am  proud  to  have  made  yonr  acquamtance.  It  was  as  your 
fisdief's  ward,  then,  you  hrst  met  my — Miss  Lisle  ?  " 

"Your  daughter,  colonel — the  confidence  may  as  well  be 
nrutnal     Of  course,  1  know  you  are  Robert  Lisle." 

"  Ah,  yet ;  1  suppose  my  histoiy  it  familiar  to  you  bota  your 
bther." 

"  And  from  others.  Vf^te  you  not  rather  surprised,  colonel, 
when  you  discovered  upon  whom  my  father  pitched  as  his 
successor  in  youi  daughter's  guardianship?  Now  I  should 
imagine  Sir  Vane  (^harteris  would  be  the  last  man  alive  yor 
would  wish  to  place  in  power  over  Paulina." 

A  dark  flush  crept  up  over  the  pale  bronze  of  the  colonel's 
bee. 

"And  why?  "he  asked. 

"Shall  1  really  answer  that  question,  colonel  ?  Yoa  see  I 
have  had  time  to  think  since  1  came  out  here,  and  I  have 
managed  to  connect  past  events  pretty  clearly.  1  remenibc^X 
my  bther  telling  your  story  at  the  <unner-tible,  and  lady 
Cnarteria — poor  Lady  Charteris  (ailing  in  a  dead  faint  at  tlie 
mention  of  your  came.  I  look  back,  and  remember  hearutg 
rtie  was  fotced  to  marry  Sir  Vane.  1  know  they  were  totauy 
estranged  from  each  other,  tbat  the  shadow  of  a  lifelong 
sorrow  lay  upon  her,  and  1  knew  she  was  yoor  wife  and 
Paulina's  mother." 

Colonel  Hawksley  bbwed  his  face  on  hb  haad.  Even  in  die 
ihadow  Guy  could  see  how  greatly  he  was  moved. 

"  Why  do  yon  remain  here  ?"  he  asked.     "  Why  have  yoa 

than  death.     You  wen  her  husband,  not  be;  yoa  had  the 
Why  not  have  returned  and  claiined  her  kng  agof  " 


-sjs;. 


d^TEk  SIX    TEAKS. 


W 


*  Huvt^o  kAows  I  There  hxve  bt^n  times,  of  jte  >ear«, 
•hen  I  hav«;  thought  inysel/  the  veriest  eoward  and  idio*  to  bf 
hnnte4  dOi^n  as  1  was,  to  deseit  her  to  her  tyrants.  But  I  lay 
under  a  criimnal  charge  whi^h  I  co^t  not  disprove— and  she 
iras  hib  11^5,  and  J  was  made  to  ^believe  loved  him.  And 
there  wotUd  have  followed  exposure,  and " 

"Betie»  exposure  than  such  misery  Ik  she  has  been  made  t« 
mffer.  Colonel  liawksley,  do  you  know  she  i«  the  inma^te  o< 
i  mad'housc  now  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  tht  vord  dropped  slowly,  heavily  from  his  pale  Dpi 
"I  know."  ^ 

"  Your  daughter  told  you.  I  wonder  you  did  npt  return  to 
*  England  when  /mi  ftrsi  leamfed  that  Sir  Vane  Charteris  b«H 
been  appointed  hei' gaan/ian," 

"  I  did  not  know  it  for  many  months  after.  She  wrote  ra^ 
from  France— telling  me  A  the  change,  and  that  s}ie  was  satis- 
fied— that  1  was  in  no  wa)  to  trouble  mysi'lf  about  her.  The| 
the  war  began,  and  I  camt  here,  and  I  shall  remain  untU  the 
end.  Why  should  I  return  now — England  holds  nothing  but 
bitter  memories  for  me." 

"Have  you  no  wish  to  se6  vour  daughter?" 

"  Every  wish.  When  she  (s  some  good  man's  wife  I  shaV 
jg*sk  her  to  come  across  the  oc«an  to  visit  me." 

"  Have  you  no  wish  to  cleid-  the  blot  off  your  gootl  name- 
to  disprove  the  false  charge  b.ought  against  you  by  Geoffrey 
Lyndith?"  ' 

i      "It  would  be  impossible  after  aII  those  years." 

"1  don't  see  that,"  Guy  said,  coolly  ;  '.'more  diificult  things 
are  done  every  day.  London  detectives  are  clever,  ^tnd  you 
are  rich  eno«igh  to  pay  them  well  for.  their  work.  Geoffrej 
Lyndith  is  dead— you  are  freejp.-ttftum'if  you  will— if  for  no 
other's  s*ke,  for  that  of  your  wife." 

Colonel  Hawksley  rose  up  passionately. 

"  Do  ytou  think  I  could  bear  tb  !>ee  her,"  he  said,  "  like 
that  ?  Why,  good  Heavens,  the  thought  of  her  ai  she  is  now 
nearly  drives  me  wild."  "t 

•  Insane^  you  mean.  Well,  now,  I  aib  not  so  sure  of  thai 
either.  E^ery  one  is  not  insane  who  is  «hur  up  in  a  ma^ 
iMuse."  ^  ^ 

•>■  •'  Young  Wuui»  what  Ho  vou  mean  ?  *• 


\Uii»— that  wfiitcver  l^ady  Chartcrfi  naef  be  now,' 
•he  was  nonmre  ins&ne   than  you  ot  I  when  placed  tiien 


-rfj. 


ssi 


AFhGl 


M  5/jr    yKAMX 


"  Great  Hetver.  f " 

j^^'',^*"*"  Charteri.  \  a  man  capable  of  a  veri,  yillanooi 

toe  fact  of  her  madness  was  announced  no  one  cvrer  thou  -lit  ^ 
doubting  her  ladyship's  perfect  sanity.     They  were  «ira  L^ 
for  years  and  vears  before  the  birlh  of  his  only  daug)*er      be 
h«pr.    but   perfectly   ci^il    to   one  another.      I.ad/  Charter^ 
footed  a,  I  ha      told  you,  when  my  father  related^.o,uTon 

{•hi  nt.?";'^^'"'^^'".'^'^  appointment  as  Pauhna'sWrS 
That  n.ght.  U  trar.  spired,  she  fled  from  the  Priory  to  ;L  huuS 
IB  Speckhaven  m  which  Ouke  Mason  lived,  and  S^  Vane  ?o? 

^eJ  and  brcught  her  back.     It  was  a  stormy  nig  t,  tZ^{. 

^t,  aud  wnether  from  the  wettfhg  she  received,  o?  ht-r  exS 

ment,  she  was  taken  very  ill.     As  soon  as  she  was  able  tn  £. 

removed  Si,  Vane  took  h'er  up  to  town  to  ptaceTer  under  t£^ 

Jat  .he  had  gone  insane,  ind  was  placed  in  a  privateXiJ^ 
No  one  was  pernmted  to  v.s.t  her,  not  her  own  daughter  luud 
but  ,n  spue  of  the  baronefscare,  the  form  of  her  lujcv  trans 
pned.  She.efusedto  acknowledge  Sir  Vane  Charteris  a^  h« 
husband  said  her  nghtfurhusband  was  alive  and  in  a  f^rei^ 
Uind.  Now,  thmk.  whether  or  no  this  statement  wis  he  utte^ 
ance  of  insanity."  .  -  *^  ""^"^ 

•'Dreat    Heaven!    my   poor,    heartbroken   Olivia         If   I 
iK)ught~if  I  thought  this^cre  true—" 
five  if^^"  would  return.     It  is  true  |-    Does  Lady  Charteris  still 

"  She  does.     Paulina  mertioned  her  in  her  last  letter      Sh#. 

i^^isro^rrhjr"^""-^-  -  ^^-^^^-^^^^^^^.^ 

jn^hrr  dehverance,  m  the  power  of  such  a  man  a.  Vane  Q^^^ 

i  -J!!*  f°^^?^'  ^^^^^'^  abruptly  in  his  walk,  came  over  ami 
kid  his  hand  h.av.Iy  on  the  youngern.an's  sh^uS.  *  ^ 
F^rlscourt.'  he  said,  "  I  wil]  c^o  back  to  En>Und  ai 
jpced^ly  as  may  be,  and  you  shall  accon.pany  me,  and^d  ra" 
m  the  usk  of  recovering  and  reclamung  my  wife.  ReL"J 
jrant  we  may  not  be  too  late  "  ^^VV*^ 

ThlMft?)!   ,^"V^«  oy  of  thequestion  that  /  should  ret»m. 
^^£SrJ  i^  Jil*"??  «^*«^Touicnow^n(l  the  Jews  d,^^^ 


AFTtM  S/M  tJUJU^ 


%»9 


/illsinCTai 
:s  before 

OligJlt  o< 

strange<t 
er,  I  be 
>harteris 
»iu  storjt 
uardiin. 
"i  house 
'ane  fol- 
I  recol- 
'  excites 
e  to  heg 
ider  thT- 
ard  was 
asylijra. 

Maud, 
y  traqs 

as  ho 


utter- 


ris  still 


z,  and 


nd  ai 

«d  iQe 
ei«vii 

gturn. 


write  at  least  tj^  mor?  highly  popular  B«veli  bcfcre  J  can 
fcce  the  Ismelites  of  l^ndon." 

••  Coitle  with  me,"  Hairksley  said,  eameidr  ;  "  I  aik  it  as  a 
tavor.  Kqr/^our  debts  you  will  accept  a  loan  from  me  until 
those  two yhew  novels  are  written.  You  will  not  objec'— I 
take  u  as  i  personal  favor  your  comine.  England  will  be  uk« 
a  s^jange^land  to  me  after  a  score  and  more  year.  You  will 
come?/  ' 

He  iield  out  his  hand— Guy  placed  his  thereia 
'M/will  go,  colonel^thanks  all  the  same  fo»  your  kindncsa 
An4  now,  with,  your  permission,  I'U  retire— I  don't  feel  quite 
as^gnong  as  Sanuon,  and — "  -^ 

/tie  reeled  slightly  as  he  spoke— faint  and  giddy  from  weak 

;ss  and  recent  loss  of  blood.  >  The  colonel  hastily  poured  out 

glass  of  wine  and  held  it  to  his  lips. 

"1  should  not  have  brought  you  out— yon  will  be  the  worst 
for  this.  My  servkftt  shall  accompany  you  to  your  quarters-^ 
you  are  not  fit  to  walk  over  that  distance  alone.     Good-nieht" 

"  (-ood-mght,  colonel."  " 

Th-j  orderly,  with  the  wounded  lieutenant,  crossed  the  moon 
ht  sward  on  their  way  to  the  temi>orary  hospital.  And  lone 
after  Guy  Larlscourt  lay  asleep,  with  his  handsome  head  pil- 
towed  on  his  arm,  a  smile  on  his  lips,  dreaming  of  England  and 
Pau  ina,  Colonel  Hawksley  paced  to  and  fro  in  his  apartment, 
thinking  bitterly  of  his  wasted  life  and  of  the  fate  that  had  held 
him  and  the  wife  he  lovjed  apart. 

"  My  dirling  !  "  he  said,  "  my  darling  !  and  y-oi  always  loved 
me— always  were  faiUiful— I  know  it  new.  And  I-^di. 
Heaven  !  why  did  I  not  brave  all  that  tho«  plotters  cuuld  do. 
and  claim  you.  But  the  day  of  retribaMua  ia  at  h.»w  ^^  J^ 
tao^  who  «tacd  between  at  tatie  caic  i "  '"' 


^ 


come 
.ve  t» 


^M^hiC^iA&sb. 


/ 


'-U 


^^S^^^&«,«^feSi>tJ!iJi'-^^I"S«  "^^V-        *iij.  u.>a,-«kM.-i*v  (  ^J^.   .► 


330 


OP  PIVA 


CHAPTER  II. 
A  BKLLB  Of  mm  SXASOm 

u  t  ■ 

[\ULINA!" 

There,  was  no  reply.     The  lady  addreued  nl  ah 
sorbffd  over  a  book. 

"raulina,"  rather  louder,  "it  is  abnost  five,  .n^l 

quite  t,me  to  (Hve.     Do  you  hear  ?  "  ^  "" 

"U'eU,  yes,  Ihear,  Maud,"  and  Paulina  Lisle  lifted  a  oair 

of  serene, ^apuhire-hued  eyes  from  her  book     "h  t  I  r.ST 

dbn  t  thmk  L  shall  go.     It  I  very  plearintTere  by'he  L'tti 

t'^«  stfr;:;  fer  ^^  --  ^'-^  ^-"- 

"What!"  ciied  Maud  Charieris,  -not  eveo  when  this  i. 
^e  first  day  of  Lord  Heather  land's  ;eturn  fronTscotland  an3 
you  have  not  seen  hnn  for  a  fortnight.     You  are  sure  to  meet 

"  ewlfli  t  aiitllr  «"  "  ^^^  '^'  ^'^-^  "«P^°  wh?n^ 

h    S  ft;«  1^.   ^''f"'.°^  ''°"'"'^'  "  »«  *"  understood  thLiXt 
iK  bciutrful  M.SS  Lisle,  the  belle  of  London,  has  no  hwft      I 
y^;^  »F?««  u  IS  at  aU  a  necessary  adjunct'  to  a  futulre  duch 

M^dTJirrtr*  **"  »%htest  tinge  of  envy  in  the  tone  of  Mis, 
Maud  Chartens,  as  she  said  thew  last  words.  She  wmiW 
never  be  a  duchess,  and  she  knew  it  She  wL  a  smaU  s^lfow 
complexioned  girl  of  one-and-twenty  now,  v^^  palTa^ 'S' 
jnth  eyes  like  sloes,  and  dead,  black  h^ir,  2d  a  1^  Tk 
Vane  Chartens  all  over  her  wan,  fretted  laie        *  *°***  *^  '^^ 

rhe  eyes  of  Paulina  Lisle  feU  suddenly  and  rested  on  the  fir- 
mth  something  like  a  smothered  sigh.  *" 

"No  heart,  Maud!"  she  repeated  stowlv  •  "I  someri™- 

eccur,  and  we  were  bom  without  hear;*  without  memoiv  with 
o«t<^nsc,ence^    Our  past  enormities  SouW^  SSi^  ^ 
tmbitter  our  wkole  future  lives."  '^  ^ 

J*/*5i^in*^*''"'  1""*"*^  °"*  ''^^  ^^^'^^  impatiently. 
'  o""! «  come  here  to  talk  metaphysics  Miss  I  iaJe      A««. 

gnr:ir '"  '^y  ^"  '"■--  '''d?..  .iiLy v::s 


»  •tagtnt  ram^e  cortuiwi  berself  as  she  sjiou!     «  Y«  d^T 


a  pau 
really 


v 


4  BELLE   or 


firk 


^vc_ 


SEASOWS 


SSt 


^JF  meaif  to  gay,  Paulina,  4ut  a  new  book,  no  matter  how 
Interesting,  is  a  stronger  attrartion  to  the  reigning  beauty  of  the 
•eason  man  a  drive  along  th«  Lady's  Mile,  at  the  faahionable 
hour,  on  a  lovely  May  day?  pbnt  tell  me  lo,  foi  1  <»uUirii 
beueve  iL  - 

"It  is  perfectly  true,  nevertheless.     My  book  is  intenseb 
b|teresting,  and  the  daily  drive  at  the  same  hour,  in  the  tvm 
place  seeing  the  same  fs^ces,  acknow'edging  the  same  bowt 
becomes  after  bve  seasons— wei,  to  speak  mildly,  rat'  er  ma 
notahous."  /»   -v  »«•• 

"  What^s  your  book,  Paulina  ?" 

r  ^,'  ^?rrs  '^'^^^'"'^n  Cross:  by  the  author  of  *  Paul  Rulher- 
ford  s  Wife    and  •  Gold  and  Glitter,'  the  two  best  novels  of  the 


day,  you  remember.     Even  you,  Maud,  who  never  r-ad  any- 
thmg  except  the    'Court  Circular'  and  the  > Morning  Pos/ 


thing  except  the 
read  them." 

"I  remember.  They  were  books  of  English  society,  and  \ 
read  them  because  they  were  so  true  to  nature,  to  reality. 
Half  the  books  of  that  class  are  the  most  wretched  caricatures, 
i  his  man,  evidently,  knows  what  be  is  writing  about  Thev 
were  charmmg  stories.  Do  you  know,  Paulina,  the  heroine  ol 
the  first,  was  v-ry  hke  you  ! " 

"Like  me  I  Is  that«  a  compliment  to  me  or  Margaret 
Rutherford,  I  wonder  ?  "  * 

"To  you.  Paul  Rutherford's  wife  was  a  bewitching  creat 
ure,  and  I  am  perfectly  sure  she  was  drawn  from  real  life— 
from_y<7«,  Miss  Lisle." 

"  Let  me  see,"  said  Paulina  with  a  smile ;  "as  far  as  I  can 
remember,  she  was  an  impulsive,  headstrong,  rebellioui.  paa. 
sionate  woman,  with  good  impulses,  /  grant,  but  spoihng  every- 
thing  by  her  reckless  iin|)etuosity..  Yes,  I  suppose,  that  MWj 
hke  me-m  the  past,  Maud ;"  a  flush  rose  for  a  moment  wi 
Je  perfect  pallor  of  her  face.  "  I  shudder-  I  sicken  wlien  1 
flunk  of  my  desperate  deeds  of  the  past  Good  Iiea»en  I 
what  a  perfectly  wild,  perfectly  reckless  little  outlaw  I  was !" 

"Indeed!     You  never  murdered  any  one  like  Lady  Audle»*^ 
t  luppose.     Or  you  never  marned  a  head  groom,  or  awythint 
rfihat.sort,didyou?"  '^/"uui 

The  flush  deerened— deepened  ^perceptibly  on  Miu  Litle'i 


•Ihave  done  what  I  can  never  forget  n6r  forgive,"  she  an 
fwered  in  broken  tones ;  "what  wfll  haunt  me  with  griet  and 
*«ine^  and  Temotse  uxy  life  long."    She  wa»  »peaki-g  more  t* 


.^ 


ISk*,' 


,  ^^s^ 


.# 


\-.' 


T  x»tT 


$$9 


4  BEILE  OP  FIVE  SBASOffX 


her  own  thoughts  than  to  her  companion  now.  "  PeopV  whi 
knew  me  six  years  ago  tell  me  I  have  changed  out  of  all  kr, owl 
rl^*'  .  '  ^T  '.'^ave-I  hope  I  have-in  no  way.  loo^  o, 
Character,  thought  or  action,  would  1  resemble  the  Paulina 
l-isls  (if  SIX  years  ago."  •"""« 

"Then  you  /la7r  a  secret  in  your  life.  Paulina  !     That's  xfy 
BUUitir: ;  and,  if  you'll  believe  me,  I  always  thought  so.      Voui 

5  rl*  /  ^T  'H''^*'"°''-  ^^'^  '^'^^"^'^  '"  y""  somehow,  do 
im  know,  I  always  fancieo  you  were  like  the  h-nnn.-  of  a 
a.5,e.l,  and  hat!  gone  tlirough  the  loved  and  lost  idea  ,K,et;;  make 
luch  a  nowhng  about.  Do  tell  me.  Pau.ma.  who  was  he?- 
Paulina  look-ed  up  and  laughed— her  own  sweet  laugh 
.Aly  dear  Maud,  my  prophetic  soul  tells  me  Mrs.  (lalb/aith 
»m   be  here  in   hve  n.inutcs  to  ocold  us  both.     1   suppose  I 

hng  book  until  by  and  by.  One  hour  with  you  is  worth  a 
do^en  m  the  I,adys  M.le.  What  a  farce  it  all  ,s,  ;\raud,  ihA 
everlasting  routine  of  dressing,  and  driving,  an<l  dming  ;  and 
jlLfor-what  }  We  are  hke  a  Hock  of  sheep  jun.pu.g  th  ough 
a  hedge  and  not  one  of  us  knowmg  W;y  we  fillow  our  l.ader. 
I  Ifes  >  comedy,  at  best,  and  we  the  prettily-ljressed.  p.ettily 
pamted  actresses  ;. and  when  the  lights  are.Out  an.)  the  nJay 
over,  I  wonder  what  account  we  will  be  Si-ked  to  give  of  lives 
and  talents  so  spent.  There,  Maud,^%look  so  disgusted, 
dear  child  I  will  run  away  and  di^s^aJprose.no  niofc." 
~  M'ss  Charteris  walked  away  to  Je  door  with  a  peculiarly 

•arcastic  smile  on  her  pale,  thin  liv^  ^ 

h"!^?  ^Y,.r^\.^^^^  to   the/lost   Noble  the   Marquis  of 

Heatherland  hke  tins,  I  wonderf"  she  said.     »  Does  she  con- 

tehs  to  him  those  heinous  cnijfes  and  secrets  of  the  past,  and 

.  ^        '^er  generaUreanness  and  disgyst  of  life  and  rank  and  society  ?" 

V  Q^'^Ma^      Heatherland  is  *4housand  times  too  goinl  for  such  ff 


.vu,      s,Ty  '^  '  am— no  one  kliows  that  better  than  1,  Maud. 

*nH  in  ''"';  -?'*  ^^-^^.^  ^g  f*^^  him  all  the  same,  Paulina  j 
And,  in  spite  of  your  fine  romance  and  secondhand  fcnri 
nientalnv,  you  are  marrying  him  for  his  rank  and  his  coronet, 
)u5t  as  J  or  any  of  us  in  Vanity  Fair  would  do.  Paulina  Lisle. 
yon  re  a-.f  s  not  a  very  elegant  word,  but  exceedingly  expret 
live— you're  a  humbug  I  "  ^  '      ^ 

With  which  Maud  Charteris  quitted  the  room,  and  Paulina 
JHtf  alone. ^^"* 


•J-he  half-sisters  (still  ignorant  they  were  such)  were  coniidr- 
ahly  attached  to  each  other  wmw^^ 


4 


d  MMLIB  OP  PtTM  iAjSOMX 


I3i 


Maud,  with  env>  and  bitterncM  in  her  hfait  kt  <he  othei'i 
great  beauty,  had  yet  a  sort  of  Uking  and  adiairition  that  €ve» 
her  own  sex  yielcied  Paulina. 

.Ixxjk  at  her,  sitting  there  in  a  low  chair  before  the  fire  *nd 
see  what  Paulina  Lisle  L--=  become  at  foui  and  twenty  I  '  ijh* 
t^  liessed  in  her  morning  ..-giig6e  of  silver-gray,  band  of  i^t 
«  her  throat  and  >vrists,  and  the  bronze  brown  hair,  riin  Jini 
!ow  on  the  perfect  forehead,  gathered  in  a  shining  coil  U  Uf 
»ik  Qi  the  stalely,  sn.all  head.  Sh.-  is  tall,  she  is  grandly  pra 
portioned,  every  movement  is  instinct  with  grace  and  majesty 
the  throat,  the  arms,  are  marble  fair-  she  is  one  of  those  ei- 
.  ceptional  women  which  all  n»en  think  beautiful.  Thc^face  and 
foim  that  Rotten  Row  went  wild  about,  painters  and  sculptors 
coveted  as  a  moilel,  and  poets  mitht  sing  of  in  if,  noble  mo- 
•nanhood.     The  golden-brown  hair,  th-  eyes  of  liquid,  sapphire 

ri       I  ^'''^'''^  ^y"^^  *"*'  ^"^    S'^'^y'^g  gf^ce    of   motion, 
whether  she  waltzed  or  walked,  a  skin  delicate  as  the  petals  at 
a  -engal  rose,  and  as  devoid  of  color  in  repose,  and  a  smile 
and  a  voice  that  even  women  who  envied  and  disliked  hei 
were  forced  to  allow  had  a  charm.     She  had  changed  almost 
out  of  Knowledge  in  the  past  six  years— the  reckless,  impetu- 
ous.  self-willed  girl  of  eighteen,  had  grown  to  be  the  most  wo- 
maa.y  of  women,  the  gentlest  of  gentlewomen.     The  lips  were 
sweet  as  well  as  ptoud,  the  brilliant  eyes  had  ieanietl  a  softer, 
tenderer,  it  _may  be.  sadd,^  light,  the  girl  had  been  faulty,  errina, 
rash  to  madness,  the  woman  was  perfect  in  her  sweet  thought 
for  others,  her  unselhshness,  her  gentleness,  her  goodness  to  all 
A  beautiful  and  graceful  la.ly  she  sits  here,  with  softly  brood- 
Iftg  eyes  and  lips  a  httle  parted,  even  m  repose,  thinking  vury 
kindly,  if  not  lovingly,  of  the  man  whom  in  thiee  weeka  s/;e  is 
to  marry— the  Marquis  of  Heatherland,^  only  son  of  the  Duke 
of  Clanronald.     She  would  fain  sit  and  Wait  for  his  comm. 
Here,  but  Mrs.  Galbrasth  has  issued  her  decree,  and  with  the 
gertJe  temper  that  has  «rown  habitual  to  her  of  late  yea:«,  tht 
sacrifice  of  self  she  has  learned  to  make,  she  rises  with  a  low    • 
^h,  and  goes  forth  into  that  brilliant  May  time  world,  of  which 
■ne  18  one  of  th;  acknowledged  queens. 

It  has  taken  three  volumes  to  record  half  a  dozen  months  at 
fcer  life— the  past  half  a  doecn  years  may  be  rendered  in  ai 


That  eventful  Chnstmas,  six  years  a^o,  to  the  great  surprise  of 
MrB.(^Draitb,  was  neither  spent  at  "The  F^ji"  ndr  at  Montit 
oen  FtUKff  OUT  did  JPaulina  become  the  wife  a/  Lord  MonU 


^iU^  (^.I'v^/i)     _    I  '  W^tU 


>'-^ilA'dAiL& 


--)■ 


iu 


^  BMLLE  OP  titri  SAAS0»X 


"^ 


S;*^^^^!  ^^^''\  \  •""  "^  ^"'''*^'  "^^  ^''^  taken  to  Fianc 

S  M 1  rr   ^^Tu'^'  ^''\  ""*^  ^''*»"  '*'«  »cht  01  friend!^ 

Ixjrd  Mon.aJ  en  and  herguarciian  had  quarrelled  not  loudU 

nor^vjolencly.   but  the  quarrel  was  non2  the   let  ll^^tl 

"  »,»t^?  J^"  ^"^  ^"'  ''^"^  '"y  ^of^."  S>  Vane  had  said.  n«>. 
ant  r»e  forced  to  marr/  you  "  /     ~«  wiu; 

"-h'l  'f'^  "^^^  *'''"  '^°'"^''  ^'^  ^*"«^  ChartenV  he  had  said 

Eng  and  ^nce!         ^""  '''""^  '"^  ""^^  " ''  ""^^  -^"™«^  »» 

Paulina's,  secret  was  kept     Neither  Mrs.  Galbraith  nor  Lord 

Momah.n  dreamed  of  u.     Jane  u.arn'ed  and  settled  m  WaS 

J^d  had  ke,.t  her  oath,  and  M.ss  Lisle  had  her  freedo  n  and^S 

he  eyes  o    the  world  was  Sir  Vane's  ward  still      She  snei? 

Her  Grace'the  Duchess  of  Clanronald,  a  handsome  hauchtv 
^owager  of  seventy-five,  had  taken  a  great  fancy^o  theS 
br.ght  fajr  face,  and  presented  her  ;  and  the  •  Morning  P^st^re 
curded  M.ss  L.sle's  diamonds  and  general  splendor  of  a,,, e^" 
ance,  together  with  her  n.ost  renurkable  beauty      And  S" 

a^:rKw„"ht"t.'""""  :.^""'""  season;  and  Thosett  it 
^t^^J:^^^^  ^-  -  and  wondered  a  UtUc 

Aliss  Lisle  was  a  greac  success— men  raved  of  her  perfect  face 

necJ  and  lihhk  d  her  with  a  sincerity  that  was  the  highest  con.oH 
«^nnhey  could  pay  her  charms.  She  made  score  ffcinque^^^ 
«Kl  ha.    three  bnlhant  offers  that  first  season.     She  declmed 

S  'k  ^^'^'f  ^«*J"«»«-  ^'^•"re  had  made  her  beautiful^S 
gifted  her  with  that  rare,  subtle  fascination  of  n.anne  tlk^k 
even  better  than  beauty.  She  could  not  fail  to  p leas^  io  a? 
^tm  spue  of  herself.  Mrs.  Galbraith  cried  ou'Stl^ 
U  was  a  sm  a  cruue,  to  refuse  such  offers  as  Pau ^11^^! 
S^^/oneofl'"'^^^?-     ''^''  ^'^  '""^  «'^'  «I>ect7Dira 


,. rr"      .       '"J"*  piuiucs  CO  propoae  i 

-tea  Iwtened^Bd  wnireT— imnle  sadTy.  a  little  wigtfullv'aiid 
*e  Uue  ,ye.  looked  dreamily  afar  o^  and  GurFiurt^ 


'■■t 


i,- .  >iJ 


,<-!■ 


4  BMILM  9P  0JVA  SMASOiiX 


m 


'"¥ 


iMfcee  came  back  to  her  horn  over  the  sea.    Where  he  waa. 

fn.'^L^*!!"'/*"^  *15  ^  f°"*^'  **»*  ^^  °°t  know;  she  onR 
kn<rir  that  she  loved  him,  and  that  she  would  rather  die  thai 
took  upon  hiB  face  again.  Her  second,  third,  and  fourth  sea. 
lODt  were  a  repeUtion  of  the  first  Sh(-  grew  more  beautiful 
rS^       CI.P*""*-  ^^'  *"**  """^  marble-hearted,  iaid  th« 

ISiln  ^^  'T''''''^  1"°'*  *¥«'^'*  °^*^"  *han  any  otbe. 
joinan  of  her  tune,  and  treated  all  alike.  She  had  no  heart 
^eyttid,  or  It  was  like  her  complexion,  of  marble.  Women 
ceaaed  to  fear  her  nvalry-^men  grew  shy  of  offering  their  hearts 
and  hand,  to  this  mercUes,  "  Refuser."  And  awaj  in  AmeiS! 
fighting  under  an  alien  flag,  there  was  one  whose  name  slie  saw 
at  me  mtervals  m  the  American  papers  Colonel  Hawksley 

TliVk  'k''""SJbS5'?'*  "^^  ^""^  ^^^  ^ot>'  »nd  her  palJ 
Jieeks  flush  •^jmmpi  those  men  about  her  had  ever  done* 

nr^Jr'M   ''MK-^""^!'  ^"<^°"  *««on,  the  Dudiess  of 

f.«fr^?^l^T^"*  ''"'*  r*y  *°  *»«  <*"^a"«  Highland 
easUe,  to  spend  the  autumn  and  winter.  She  liked  Pauljia. 
witli  a  hkmg  that  grew  stronger  with  each  year.  At  Clanron! 
aid  Castle  Afiss  Lisle  encountered,  that  autumn,  her  grace's 
^1"°^  "??  ^t^""  °'  Heatherland.  He  had  been  S^J 
m  the  Last  for  the  past  seven  years,  and  had  come  home  ona 
Ivmg  visit  to  his  mother  before  starting  for  Equinoctial  Af 
r*1^*.J?*  "^*  ****"?•  *  «™^*'  'weather-Beaten  man  of  seven 

K  nSrj*  *?  ^V  "^'TJ?".**'  **^*^"i  »?*»»  »"  *  'week,  and 
h«  met  Paulma  Lisle,  and  his  (ate  was  fixed  He  feU  in^love 
with  her,  as  .ewes  of  other  men  had  done  before  him,  and 
Equinoctial  Afiica  and  gorilla  hunting  were  forgottea  He 
was  seven-and-forty;  he  had  n^ver  been  in  love  in  kik  Kfc  • 
women  and  society  bored  him ;  he  was  grave,  silent,  am*  noi 
handsoriie,  and  bs  fell  m  love  as  men  of  seven-and  forty- -VWttr 
potent,  ^se,  aaJ  leverend  seijfneurs-KJo  (all  in  love  at  thai  ab 
normal  age,  without  hope,  and  without  reason.  In  three  days 
his  infatuation  was  patent  to  the  whole  house,  -vhe  duchess 
was  alarmed,  and  remonstrated  aftar  the  fashion  of  moJiera. 

iLT^'^u**'^"?.*^  **?'■  "*^  ^  ^  H«atherUnd  married  and 

K^  ms  wild,  roving  life,  but  not  to  Paulina  Lisle,  much 

■a  she  liked  her.  ^  ^^ 

"It  i;  "iadness-itifatiiation  on  your  part,  Heatherland,''  she 
M.     **  This  a:ul  u  infinitelv  h<>lnw  •//»,  •«  «>.b      cu '  .  f_ 


^^^   Thisgu  IS  infinitely  below  you  in  rank.    She  passes  b 
-joaety  a*  a  lyiuve  ofthelate  Lord  ATontallen,  mJ^»K 

£r  ILV     I      U"  ^**f  '■  *"  America,  in  self-imposed  exiie; 
Mm  mocher  ia— Heaven  knows  where     1  »Jo  not  even  kiipi 


^.v^,: 


«"^v»' 


3S6 


A  BELLE  OF^  THE 


fX-.    . 


that  her  parents  \^  Icffallv 


not  breathe  a  worfof  t 


SEASONS. 
niarried.     C 


us  to  ai'y  but 


ourse  I  would 
I  like  the  girl 


JSof  Cla.'jronald 


excessiveiv. 

have  been  accustomed  to  mary  •' 

ine  marquis  list^^-d  r-'^h   hi  *   ^ 

«miie.  and  answered  quietly  •  ^'"^'  ^''"^^'  ^'^oughtful 

"  ftx«l  as  f^r*      «w  u     ^  ^"  '^  **''^  *'""'<•  accept  liie'      V 

"  «•!».      Th^ri.  or.  »  .  '  uners,  Dut  she  will  not  »?fust 

Mil'u.lfA"  '^  '"  "'  '^'^  "^'^    "TT"'  »  "0  hop,, 

wck  at  heart    A  narlf..t  ..r  a.      '  '  *'"w'y.  »veariy, 

looked  for      Thr.!!  */""^''  "^""^'  <l""e  as  eawrU- 

£^:raioSL^re;:,srba^rtrc 

•nd  milsin^.     And  almost  headinrthe '^4  ofT.r    i^k  "'oiwidetl, 
••«e  of  Lfeutenant  Guy  vJTolT  '^  *^''  '"^  ^ 

Vea,    there   it   was.     Guy    l':arlscourt— kilLvl  i     in. 
■wao  round  her,  .  not  niist  came  beT^e^.  h^  L^  5**^ 

GPcr      Killed  I     Hisu„agerorbSore^L!lA    K*'?^"*' 
n    firit  ei»ht  »«)Mr.    kT?    '"»«»"'>'«*•.»  u  ^e  hao  »e«o- 

t^-Cy.   '^i**- ifce  »UMi  danced  with  him  under  IV  w„rij  ,J^ 


J 


■'r,v. . 


A 


■"-i*^?^~-  ■'TrsiN(«a^Jj^?ir4^^ 


M  BKtZM  OP  Frwn  i^SJSgMS.    "  .  juit 

•*-■■'  ,  t 

of  Mnntalirn,  duHng  »hat  bright  June  day.  As  the  had  mcq  < 
hull  «n:h  the  «ur.shiiip  on  his  daik  face,  as  he  rude  up  t6  bet 
CArnai;e  to  say  gmxl  by  on  the  day  she  l»ft  Spcckhaven  for 
sc".i«x>L  As  she  had  6<»en  him  last  in  the  Iibiaiy6f  .Sir  Vane 
C.harteris'  hou#e.  wher  he  had  refused  the  money  she  pi'offered, 
saJ  had  goni  lorm  penniless  to  his  exde.  Killed !  And  thea 
i>e  mist  cleared  away,  and  she  forced  herself  to  read.  There 
va^  a  brief  paragraph  concerning  hirn — very  brief  and  HDquent 
iht  was  an  Knglishin.iH,  and  he  had  fought  hke  a  liuii  duril^g 
rtie  wijole  day.  And  it  hid  been  newly  discovered  he  was  the 
anonyijuhis  author  of  those  two  books  which  had  created  such  s 
scnsaii  jn  in  the  literary  worl<|  "  I'aiil  Rutherford's  Wife  "  and 
"Cold  and  Oiitter." 

The  paper  dropped  from  her  hands,  she  sank  down  on  net  . 
knees  ai  d  bunted  her  pale  face  in  them.     Long  before  $he  ardie 
they  wer.?  wet  with  her  tears — tears  that  came  fast  and  thkk 
from  b  stiicken  heart.     She  had  loved  him,  and  he  was  dead 

Miss  l.isle  left  the  Highland  Castle  abruptly  enoiujh  next 

day — no  <loubt  because  she  had  rejected  ileatherland,  every 

one  said.     She  looked  so  pale,  so  cold,  so  wTetched,  that  the 

'  duchess  ha<l  not  had  the  heart  to  be  too  severe  upon  her — the 

young  woman  must  be  mad,  sunply  that,   i' 

She  went  home — home  to  Speckhaven — %iS  Duke,  ard  passed 
the  winter  as  thoujj;h  she  were  once  more  "PoUy  Masotv"  ioA 
all  ht-r  Tvcalih  and  grandeur  but  a  dream.  She  was  in  trouble 
— thus:  faithful  friends  saw  that,  and  asked  no  questions,  only 
loo  hap^y  to  have  her  with  them  once  njore.  When  April 
came  bir  Vane  came  with  it,  and  took  her  back,  and  the  woild 
taw  no  change  in  her.  And  for  the  hrst  time  for  many  yean' 
the  Marquis  of  Heatherland  appeared  in  society — his  old  niad* 
nesK  strong  upon  hiin  still.  He  had  no  hope — ^but  to  lo(A 
jpon  h«  face — to  hear  her  vuice,  were  teiii|)tations  tab  great 
^  him.  They  met  once  more,  and  how  it  came  about  need 
ao(  be  told,     hei^toposed  again  and  this  time  was  accepted. 

She  wa$  proud,  she  was  aiubmoua— she  hked  and  esteemed 
him  hiithly. 

"  i  will  be  yot:r  wife,"  she  said  simply.  *'  Yonr  bithfiil  wife 
I  know,  yom  loving  wjfe  I  hope--io  tune."  ;'*- 

He  anket]  no  more.  He  lifted  the  fair,  small  hand  to  hit 
AJips  graietully,  gladly,  and  site  wa«  betrotted  tO' the  Maraqw  ^ 
— Hciuheiiapu. -._    ' .     .  — — -- — — -.■■ . ..'. ^==r.- ^^  -^— ^^ 


•»• 


:p 


./"" 


*Ji- 


338  ^  BELLE  OF  FIVE  SEASONS. 

man-she  would  no^sSonl  be  m."^w^"'^°'*  y^^^-s.  a-^  ol  I.  old 
"  How  strange  "t  aU  Lfms  "^h- »h'''"\'' ^     Heatherland. 

be  in  three  weeks'  tim^  M  Ji?-  ^' J"^'^  ^^^y  Mason,  to 

almost  li  .e  Tfairy  j;?/,..M^'^^h.oness  of  ^Heatherland.     It  is 

She  was  looking  beautiful  to-niffht  her  h^cf  ';       a 
blue  satin,  and  point-lace  overskirt  diamnn?  '•  \^  ^''^^  °^ 
brown  hair,  and   running  liSa  Hver  of   li'  Z  ^k'  *'^°'^- 
graceful  throat.     She  was  InnSn^  k        ^K  ''^^'  ^^°"t  the 

arian  minister,  sprtrhtl/as  ?  '^-  f'^^^'^"^'^  °''^'^""- 

hands,  and  congVatfi  h.-f  ''^^"^'^"y'  ^a^he  up  to  shake 

'     for;Urfet.\e1s^^"t';JS^^^^^ 

though,asIam      I   it  w^r^  i  .^^  "  ^'/""^  «^"^if"e  of  it,     • 


-*. 


/ 


'WW: 


amUi  ASViTDMU. 


r  ■■'.'■ 


SS9 


CHAFfER  III 

HBU>  ASUIVDUL 

UY  KARLaCOUkt  I  No  myth,  no  fllunan  of  tfat 
sensfg,  no  «hado«r  from  the  dead,  bat  the  livin*. 
bN-athing,  vigoroiiB  pian  I  Somewhat  thiniiw,  some. 
what  browner,  domeirhat  worn  aixd  grave.  ai>  if  he  had 
Sought  and  suffered  much  in  the  span  of  the  past  rix  years. 
Dut  as  surely  as  she  stood  there  looking  at  hiin— Guv  fiarir 
court'  ^  ' 

She  did  not  cry  out.  she  did  not  faint,  though,  for  an  instant, 
he^ rooms,  the  hghts,  the  faces,  the  flitting  forms,  swam  giddUy 
ind  there  was  the  surging  roar  of  many  waters  in  her  ears.  She 
stood  there  stock  stjll.  her  great  eyes  dilating,  every  drop  d 
bUwl  leavins:  her  face.  Dimly,  after  an  interval— of  five  m< 
.ond%  In  ieal.ty-_of  five  hours  it  seemed  to  her— the  voice  dk 
Lord  I  ea?herUnd,  sounding  fcunt  and  far-ofl;  c^me  to  her 
ear :         ^ 

"  Paciina,  yoo  are  ill— yott  are  going  to  faint  I     For  pityi 
8ak«,  s«  down  a  moment  while  I  go  for  a  glass  of  water  I" 

She  caught  at  the  back  of  a  chair  he  placed  for  Aer,  and  saw 
n?m  humedly  disap{>ear. 

Tlien,  by  a  mighty  effort,  she  collected  her  dasaJ  senses,  ahd 
turned,  still  dizzily,  to  leave  the  room. 

On  the  very  isstant  of  her  recognition  Guy  E^dscpurt  had 
turlled  aJowly  away  and  disappeared  in  an  inner  apartment. 

She  t?.A(le  her  way— how,  she  never  afterward  knew,  sick  and 
\\j7.y  as  She  felt— out  of  the  crowded  rooms  through  an  open  . 
i«ndoj».  and  on  to  the  piazza.     Ther<t  she  same  down,  half 
crouching-  half-sitting,  in  her  gay  ball^ess,  whUe  the  wind  oi 
:he  cojd  May  night  blew  upon  hei  uncovered  head  and  death 
»hite  face. 

At  hr»«  she  could  not  even  think.  The  inddenness  of  the 
Wow  iituuned  her.  She  w*9  painfully  conscious  ocWiter  diingi 
-of  the  great,  burning  midnight  stars  fof  the  distant  wilder- 
-S  Zi  '■!*?     ir^L^^*'  ^^'"^  sweet-sighing  of  the  music  ;  of  tha 


-iJnU  blowmg  of  thrwmdT  And  then  ihose  things  all  faded  away 
jnd  the  j.resent,  ami  the  past,  and  her  whole  future  life  lay  ban 
■etoie  her.     A  strangle  sort  of  calm  that  waa  abuoM  apfttti| 


l.(h,S. 


140 


^KLB  .<MrArDBM. 


7 


fton  *s  If  she  were  thinking  of  another  j)erson 

The  rqKJii  of  the  An.encaii  n.-«spape.  ha.l  been  urtrue^a 
mistake,  no  doubt.  (i„y  Karlsconrl,  the  man  she  ha<l  ni;irr*ed 
K,  strangely  su  years  before,  was  here  al.ve  ami  wa  \V^ 
feehrg  was  u  that  stirred  in  her  heart  at  that  conv.ctior  >    VV^ 

,fr  r'      ,  ,     *\"  ''^'"  ^     ^^^"  '^'-"•!Sht-*uiidenngaVhers8lf 
.lat  .he  could  tnmk  of  so  tnv.al  a  ihu,g_how  hand.on.c   h 

Ja  k.  thoughtful  eyes!     He  had  chaMged— gra^^n  graver  and 
;;ld,r.  ,„o.e  ,n.Hly,  ...ore  noble  than   irfthe  pafT  /'i     hid    e 
trZVnt\T''  ""  <loubr.     ,.a..l  ort  h.s  .l^-bts.  an<l  returned 
toKng  cin.l  a  free  ...an.     And  he  was  the  author,  too.  <,f  those 
^ks  «i;e  had  liked  so-^^great  b.ioks.  whose  pra..sc«  the  « :u Id 

in'h  rh.  n/""''  Tu  ""^1  ^'.  ''".=*'  ^he  .might,  her  engager Unl 
mh  the  \I;.r.,u.s  of  Heaiherland.  and  at  once.  A  greal  pang 
fol'owed  this.  She  was,  as  1  h.ve  said,  a,nbitious^o  weir  f 
ducal  coronet  It  had  daz.ltd  her;  and  now  that  .iream  o( 
dory  must  be  resigned,  ^^j  .^e  must  yield  up  all  the  hope  o 
ler  life.  She  felt  a  vague  s.>rt  of  ^,uy  for  the  mar.iuis  w  a  sis 
^erly  way,  and  putting  love  entu-ely  out  of  the  quesltun,  she  haS 
Weed  him  very  much,  and  esteeme.l  him  very  nighly 

That  he  hterally  worshipped  her  she  knew  ,o  be  tnie-how 
bitter  the  pang  would  be  then  when,  wunout  reason  withcuT 
excuse,  she  broke  her  ple<lged  vow.  And  the  •.  Mornmg  i W' 
ad  annour^ced  the  approaching  nuptials,  and  the  guests  were 
Dtdden  and  the  bndal  trousseau  ready.  The  worlcl  w<,uld  Zu 
her  a  heartless  jilt  ap  unpnncipled  riirt,  her  best  fnends  would  ' 
despise  her-I^rd  Heatherland  and  the  duchess^the  km  I 
p  oud,  stately  old  ducness  would  hate  her  an<l  soorn  he,  Lnd 
With  reason      And  through  her  own  fault- her  own  mad,  reck 

^V^h.\    ,       ^'*l''  ?'%^^^  *"  happened.     Wuh  her  own 
aand  she  had  wrought  her  fate. 

And  then  those  bitter  fancies  drifted  away  once  mote,  and 
Guy's  face  floated  before  her  in  the  purple  starlight  What 
must  A.  th.r.k  of  her-could  any  ones  hatJed  e.,ual'h's  ?  How 
Xlw'  u  '""''  '^"'•'"^  h"-how  he  must  curse  his  own  folly 
ttgfrer  havnnjf  sacr.hced  himself  and  his  whole  future  life  to 
i^S^he  work!  had  always,  at  his  worst,  ailrmred^nd  caressed 
™TJ"n  T'^  """''  *'"^  *'•»-*  P*st  redeeiiifd,  with  his 
^^^jant  laiiie  and  success  as  an  aoThor.  Why.  had  ^^ 
Ite  tK9o  kcc,  ht  might  have  wooed  and  woo  the  highcit,  tlit 


,,^^^b.^. 


^t^" 


aku>  AsvHt>Ak. 


■\ 


hirert  \Xi  the  land.  And  in  his  reckless  generosity,  he  i  ad 
■acn»ced  every  hope  of.  home,  of  wife,  of  all  nun  holds  most 
•dear — for  her. 

Her  cold  hands  clasped  themselves  over  her  pale  face  hei 
bram  ceased  to  think,  a  sort  of  stupor,  partly  of  r.old,  wai 
creeping  upon  her,  she  crouched  there  in  her  lares  and  dia 
monds,  as  n;iserable  a  won«an  as  the  great  city  held.  Oh, 
Heaven  !  to  be  able  to  retrieve  the  past— tu  recall  :}.e  woik  ol 
Uut  iong.gone  Clirism.as  eve.  Hew  lo.-ig  she  had  been  thcit 
ane  never  Knew,  probably  not  ntore  than  t%^r;nty  ni:nnles-an 
etemify  of  sulienng  it  seemed  to  her.  In  after  years,  whtn  ail 
this  terrible  tune  was  past  and  gone,  she  could  nev-r  recall 
those  moments  on  the  pia/za  without  a  shu.Kler  of  the  auo, 
she  had  felt  then.     She  was  intensely  proud— the  world     ' 


:anie 


hew  her  so  high,  so  spotless— and  now  the  tiriie  had  cJJiie 
When  she  must  descend  from  her  pinnacle,  and  be  known  as 
the Yretchetl,  unworriuidy  creature  she  was.     * 

AWnd  was  laid  on  her  shoulder~a  voice  sounded  i^  hei 
dulledVyCars. 

**  ^'^'^a  '  ^'Ood  Heaven  I  what,  are  you  here?  Do  you 
know  you  will  get  your  death  }  "  ' 

She  looked  u,v-to  his  d>ing  day  he  never  forgot  the  durnh 
infinite  misery  of  that  first  glance.  It  was  die  Marquis  ol 
Heafherlar^d  s  anxious  face  that  bent  above  her 

"  '♦^''w'  is  It,  I'auhna  ?"  he  cn<?d  ;  "are  you  mad  to  expo.., 
yourseh  like  tins  m  the  cold  night  air?" 

She  rose  up  slowly,  shrinking  from  his  touch,  and  feelins  foi 
the  tirsl  time,  with  a  shiver,  how  cold  it  really  was. 

•*  I  am  not  mad,"  she  sai-i,  m  a  slow,  dull  voice,  stranKeh 
onhke  the  soft,  musical  ton.-»  that  had  Deen  one  of  ncr  chie' 
Charnis,  "only  miserable— the  most  miserable  creafiie  oii 
tarth,  I  think.  My  lord,  let  me  tell  you  now,  while  I  hwt 
courage—that  I  retract  uiy  promise— that  1  can  ne^ei   be  "ixn 

The  words  ilropped  spasmodically  frcm  her  lips,  wi'Ji  inter 
vals  between,     ahe  did    not   look    at    him,  her  eyes  ■  ttaiini 
straight  befoie  her  m.o  the  blue  bright  night.     He  hstcned-- 
oot  uudersh:nding,  bewildered,  anxious,  incredulou.-;. 
uxU"^^^  ^*'^*  ''"'"  promise— not  be  my  wife!"  he  repeated 
What  IS  *hc  matter,  PauUna  f     Are  you  taking  leave  yf  you 


•'  It  .ounds  like  it,  I  dare  say."  she  answered  with  a  heMy, 
teart-Mck  wgh ;  "but  no,  my  seoses  such  as  they  are,  or  ev« 


• 


iMiS.iiiJ^f-s.lte' 


>i^^. 


MM 


/^I 


,i  ;  V  A^  , 


S49 


0MLD  ASVKDSM. 


\ 


wre,  remain.  Oh,  my  lord,  how  can  I  make  ypa  anderitslkJ 
—what  a  base,  base  wretch  1  hiust  scent  to  ydo.  1  cannot-  -^ 
fou  hear  me.  Lord  Heaiherland  ?;  1  cannot  be  your  wife? " 
».Jirul ''''?'  P»">>"a'"he  said,  growin^,m«t  as  white  ai 
herselC  "  but  1  cannot  understand  Will  W  be  good  enouijb 
to  explain  r  '  V  •  '  , 

Wded  his  arras  over  his  cnest  and  waited  to  hear  what  she  had 
whJt'he'^f  ft**  ^^^  ***"°'  ^  ^  ^"^  bctokemng  in  any  way 
«  I  cannot  Think  I  have  changed  my  miad,  think  I  am  a 
heartless  coquette, ^nk  anything  you  will,  only  release  me. 
Let  the  world  think  it  i*  you  who  cast  me  oF— I  deserve  it— 
"»a— and  what  does  it  matter  >  In  a  day  or  two  I  shall  leave 
cngland,  and  forever." 

Her  voice  brokft  in  with  ahoUow  sob— if  she  could  only  die. 
she  thought,  and  end  it  alL  ^     ^ 

"At  least  I  hav<?  not  deserved  this,  Paulina,"  the  grave,  sad 

toice  of  the  marqms  broke  in.     "  U  you  claim  yOur  promise— 

your  promise  IS  yours.    But  oh,  PauUna  !  my  btid^-my  wife 

Mt  18  hard— It  IS  cruel— it  it  bitter  as  death." 

V  T"  c^  ^H^*  ^^  ^*  <»"^y  *»"*  »»»«  «ver  saw  him  so 
moved.  She  fejl  down  on  her  knees  before  him  ai^  held  up 
her  clasped  hands.  *^ 

'  "Forgive  me!  forgive  mel"  shr  cried;  "yoa  skaU  know 

^1,  cost  what  itymay— the  wretch,  the  impostor  I  am.  You 
thought  you  kn^w  my  whole  history—that  it  was  only  my  pride 
or  my  mdiffercnce-that  caused  me  to  refuse  so  many  offers  before 
1  accepted  you,  and  you  honored  me  for  it  Ah,  my  God! 
how  utteriy  unworthy  1  axn  of  your  respect-of  any  good  man's 

^li^^'i  Vk"**  '"'  ^^  **•  ^"  y^^  "80,  my  lord,  I  was 
P^dged  by  the  strongest  .ties  to  a  man  who  quitted  Entcland— 

forever  as  Ithouaht  You  remember  the  day  I  left  CUmronaW 
so  h«tily-the  day  after  that  on  which  you  Arst  proposed? 
^,lta  that  dayjl  read  tne  account  of  this  man'*  death  in  a  foreiin 
parer.  1  diii't  anow  that  I  loved  hira—l  can  r  teU-  at  leiut 
tbe  newa  of  jhis  death  had  power  to  move  me  as  nothing  else 
had  power Jto  do.  Then  you  know  what  foUowed.  Next 
•eason  we  n^et  again,  and  again  you  renewed  your  offer,  and— 
*C5ep««l-  I  did  not  love  you,  my  lord— but  I  thought  mv. 
•etf^e^mi  1  knew  it  would  be  easy  to  love  one  so  good,  Lf 
kiwJ,injinier  To«  *»wv«^  " 

mo  «wiitioii  have  received  their  rightfiii  iNiniihiiieiit     Iff 


...(rv;":3. 


/«?:*"  H 


—  iyi«v  -     T,_ 


an  not-  -<k 
r  wife?" 
j»  white  ai 
xl  enough 

i'#in.  fi« 

at  she  had 
1  any  way 

ik  I  am  ■ 

lease  me. 
ierve  it — 
hall  ieavc 

only  die, 

[rave,  sad 
tromise — 
-my  wife 

w  him  go 
I  held  ap 

i//  know 
m.     You 
my  pride 
Ts  before 
ny  God! 
3d  man'i 
(1,  I  was 
igland — 
uuonaki 
Dposed? 
I  foreign 
-at  lean 
ing  else 
.    Next 
r,and — 
g;ht  roy< 


MMIP  ASONDBM, 


MS 


terd— oh.  how  dia^l  I  tell  you?— this  very  ni|^  I  have  di» 
covered  tJuit  the  mah  !  s^ak  of—  whow  1  thought  dead -to 
whom  ties  I  could  not  break  tl  x  would,  bind  me — if  alive  and 
in  I^ondon  !  S 

The  broken  voice  stopped — the  pale,  tortured  (aee  dioi>ped 
Into. her  hands.  She  still  knelt  before  him— drooping^— in  t 
strange,  distorted  attitude  of  pain.  He  had  listened  withont  a 
woid,  without  a  movement,  the  dull  pallor  still  blanching  hii 
bxx — his  arms  still  folded.  When  she  ceased,  all  that  was 
ereat  tltat  was  noble  in  the  man's  nature  was  stirred.  She  har 
dtme  him  a  wrong,  perhaps,  but  she  was  the  woman  he  loved 
and  she  knelt  before  him  in  her  great  trouble.  He  stooped* 
Uid  tried  to  raise  her  up;  ^ 

"Not  here,  Paulina!  not  here,"  he  said;  "kneel  only  to 
Kour  Maker." 

"Yes,  here,  here!"  she  cried,  wildly;  "here  on  my  kneei 
It  your  feet !  Oh,  my  lord,  you  cannot  forgive  me — but  yoa 
night  pity  me  if  you  knew  what  t  suffer." 

"1  do  pity  you,"  he  answered,  gravely,  "from  my  soul 
lise,  Miss  Lisle — \  command  it!" 
*  ^le  rose  at  once.  , 

"And  this  is  all?" 

"This  is  all." 

"  Let  me  try  to  understand  it,  if  T  can.  Yon  are  bound  by 
promise  to  marry  this  man  of  whom  you  speak — ^yoii  mean  to 
marry  him  ?  " 

^^lAy  lord,  I  will  marry  no  one.  I  have  told  jron  I  mean  to 
leave  England  and  htm  forc«rer  in  a  day  or  two.  Of  my  ow* 
free  will  I  would  never  look  upon  his  face  again." 

"  Then  you  do  not  care  for  t\i|n,  this  man  to  whom  you  stand 
pledged  ?  "  with  a  thrill  of  hew  hope  in  his  tone. 

Her  face  dropi>ed — she  turned  it  tar  away  from  Um  in  thr 
starlight 

'    "  Paulina,  yoU  hear  me.     Do  you  or  do  you  not  caie  fat 
this  man  ?  " 

'•  I — I  am  afraid  I  do."  « 

He  paused  at  her  answer.  The  hope  that  hiid  ariieiicr!idied 
out  in  his  faithful  heart  forever. ,, 

"You  care  for  him,"  he  said,  after  that  pause;-  "and  jfoa 
'  tell  me  in  the  same  breath  that  you  are  going  to  fly  from  him, 


ly  piide 


that  yoiu^wflr  never  be  his  vrifeVAfiM^^L  hav«  t^  m« 

fart  of  your  secret,  but  not  alL     Nay,"  as  she  was  about  to 
f  tell  me  DO  mcure — I  do  not^  it ;  I  fr«c  von  vttei^ 


144 


V 


MMtUf  ASptfDAM. 


y^; 


%■ 


house.'*  '''  *"'^  *"  ™*^  <^«'»<^""  you  back  to  tlie 

spccted  hiMi'x td t  ^'  .::z  ;r'  '""•  "^^"  ^-^ ' 

nobJe    eve.y    one    was-thn,  ^    "*  gt^nerous,  ho* 

»w       are  tfCik   to  tell  how  utter  v  iifvTi,*^i   .1.-  T  ' 

owu  sight-how  buterly  she    des  Ld  Kdf      A.lT  ""  ^f 
was  crushed  to  the  very  ekrih.     Shenw.th  ^11  her  pride 

•iJence  they  walked   back   r„   ,r'''*' '""^^'^  ^'».  and  in  dead 

«lT„,  iZ  .       '"""■     !  I>c  niarqais  led  her  lo  a  ku    ^:> 
^^  for  a  „,o,„en.,  looku.g  down  upon  her,  then  hdd  oT 

^"^rnX-„ru^--s^  ';i.'^h -i^iLr;. 

**  You  are  going  away  ?  " 

I»  kTL"^*^.  *^'^'  ^^  *^*^  '"t  '^rd*  Guy  had  KK^ 
JO  her  whgp  «hc  had^a  to^^te8t ^  "*^-ie^ 


■^^-^'^ 


••t  .^_ir     "1>  ^*^  **^  '-««*  Motherland  b«t  .«he  (U 
■•»  ipeak — Me  could  not  ^^ 


^^•. 


>f: 


%;. 


i«^SP** 


le  heart  ii 
c  ^k  you, 
•  aliea<J3'  a 
■an.     Yot 
'g  »nc  thia 
led     Tht 
lablfr— ihr 
to  iiiyjielf 
■  nee<|  U 
;  already, 
ick  to  the 


to  be  dis 
never  re 
ous,  how 
she — oh, 
IS  in,  hei 
ler  pride 

in  de«ui 

VVhaj   « 

the  bril- 

I  human 

rtds,  atMJ 

looked 
>lor.  ahd 


mtLD  ASUffDBm. 


341 


i  trav.;, 
:ciitra]' 

pohoa 


■0«od  by,"  he  Tcpeatdd  "  * 

Her  uphfted  eyes,  full  of  speechless  pair,  answeied  him. 
One  close,  warm  pressure  of  her  cold  hand,  and  then  th« 
man  she  had  pledge^  herself  to  iiiarry  h^Cd^assed  forevei  out 
af  her  hfe.  x 

If  she  could  only  go  home — a  wild  desire  tV|ly  away  from 
this  housj  and  those  people,  and  hide  herself  foYevcr,  canie 
■pon  her.     VVhere  was  Mrs.    (ialbraith,  where    Maud   or  Sii 

ond  time  wa)&  frozen 


Irs.  Atcherly\>B. 
ohibly  as    they 
uima's  strained 


Vane  ?     She  looked  around,  and  fori 
by  the  sight  of  Ouy  Karlscourt. 

He  was  approachmg  her,  her 
his    ahn,   Mrs.   Atcherly  chatting 
came  up.     Low  as  the  words  wei;« 
:ar  heard  Ihem  : 

"  To  be  married  in  three'  week«'  IHfific',  yon  know,  to  the 
Marquis  of  Heatheiland — by  far  the  ihost  brilliant  match  of  the 
reason.  She  is  good  enough  and  beautiful  enough  to  marry  a 
prince,  /  thmk.  And  do  you  know,  (»uy,"  laughmgly,  '*  1  used 
lo  fancy — to  hope,  only  you  were  such  a  shi>cknig  wild  Imjv, 
ihat  you  and  she — you  umlerstand  ?  But  Heather  land 'will 
make  her  a  niuch  better  husband  than  you  ever  would,  Or  evei 
mil  make  any  one,  Ma.ster  Guy." 

'*  Mrs.  Atcherly,  dorf|i  bcMvituoerative.  I've  turned  over 'a 
new  leaf — several  new  (e^^^es,  And  whpever  the  lady  is  who  haf 
the  honor  and  bliss  fef.'becrihiin'g  Mrs.  P'arlscourt,  slfe  will  ,-be 
blessed  beyond  her  sex.  Kor  Miss  Lisle  1  have  had-alway.?  tht 
ptofoundest  and  most  hopeless  admiration." 

She  beard  the  carelessly  s|H)ken  wonls,  and  her  heart  hard 
eped  acd  revolted  against  him.  I  low  dared  he  speak  oC  hei 
b  that  light  and  tlippant  tone,  whe.i  his  coming  here  h|MH> 
k*n  her  heart,  blighted  hei  life ?  Her  eyes  brightened,  aflnni 
iinge  of  color  came  back  into  h6r  f^e.  She  looked  at  him 
ttraight — a  hard,  cold,  steady  gl9.nce.  "■ 

•  Paulina,  my  child,"  cried  the  gay  voice  of  Mrs.  Atcheily, 
*•  heit»  is  a  suqjrise  for  you,  a  resurrection  from  the  dead — the 
(Hf^igal  returned — a  prodigal  no  longer,  (luy,  I  don't  think 
there  is  any  need  of  an  introduction  between  you  and  Pau< 
4niL" 

**  ^^ot  ^e  least,  I  hope,  Mrs.  Atcherly,"  Guy  ansi^ered,  boir 
ipg  low. 


ISheliari^or^jfcred  htarlwf  lansd ;  her  face^liKriR) 
ovd  M  itonc ;  n*  smile  of  recoonition  passed  over  tu     llic 
QDldsiti  iriightett,  hangbtiett  bvnd  of  th«  head  adMnnrledfed 


«  M 


*  > 


":,.  /iU 


^Ss*^'^ 


146 


BttD  ASUNDMM, 


£**i^?*  ■Pokei  "nd  her  voice  sounded  tt  lurd  wd  icy  « 


her  look. 


d^oli*"  *  ?°^"»e-     MonthB  ago  I  read  of  Mr.  Earltcourf. 
deaAm«^A«e»K:*n  paper.     But.  perhaps,  it  was  anotlS^; 

"No,  I  fancy  not,"  Gny  said  cooUy ;  " ^  was  the  oum  •!»« 
obituary  you  wad     It  was  rather  a  close  thing,  but  TJSi  WT 
•<ng  brought  me  safely  through  it,  as  you  see."  ^'         *        """ 
^    ..isT^  "°^  one  whit  dashed  by  her  freezing  hauteur-her  re 
pellent  tone.     He  stood  there  before  her  the^  most  c^U  "  tf 
g>ssessed  man  m  the  room;  heedlW  whether  the  M^qds^ 
Heather.and's  affianced  bride  smiled  or  frowned.     She^^^ 
*     '"J^J'^nt,  suppressed  anger,  unjust  as  it  wa.  utroug 
When  did  y6u  arrive  ?  "  she  asked. 

irertured  rn'inf  ^f"T"  '  ^"'^  °"  '^'^  ^""'^^'^  ^^  °W  friendsWi 
J^tured  to  mtrude  here  to-night.     Be.iue,  1  wished  to  ^ 

"To  see  me ? "  with  a  fine  laJ>'s  stare  of  insolent  wonder 
•«id  what  can  Mr.  Guy  EarLcoirt.  after  his  sUyearTexde' 
fossibly  have  to  say  to  me?"  ^  ^** 

at  trtl,r^dtn*i'  ™"^''"'  '^^  '^'  °^  -"--«»t 

"Nothing  whatever  concerning   himself— with  all  his  ore- 

jnmption  he  does  not  presume  sj  far  as  that.     I  <Sme  L  X 

Lady  Heatherland  may  be  interested." 
Her  fingers  tore  in  lialf  her  cosily  lace  handkerchief     Thi. 

"  1  know  of  no  acquaintance  of  yours.  Mr.  Eailscoiur    iiS 

She  barely  repressll  a  cry. 

" **y ,*»»*»"' "  «he exclaimed  ;  « what  of  him / - 

'PfilfmH  n»X¥?.!Lr  m'"^  ^  mterestet^"  .tiU  |mffiag^_ 
^oionei  llMkdeyTs  here,  Mtss  Lisic,  a^rrura  nis  wmiZ — 


^     t 
1 


\ 


kELD  ASUNDBM 


347 


Kvlacoort't 
nathfer  Ga> 

manvhMe 
good  nan 

w— her  re 
coolly  self 
tiaiquis  of 
Siie  sanr  if 


friendshi| 
ed  to  Ki 

quivering 

t  wonder, 
sars'  exile. 

nusemcQt 

his  pre- 
iie  as  the 
he  future 

ff.    Thii 
loie  thaii^' 

coiur,  iai 
t^hat  ym 

lalfnuid 

kd  Rob    ;^ 


meiMik 


^ 


"Hertrl"  she  criaci,  "hete!  mjr  (kthorl  tt  latC !  Oh,  Mr 
£«rbcouit,  where  is  he — take  me  to  him }  At  once  i  » 
once  I" 

"  Restrain  yourself,  Miss  Lisle — at  once  would  be  imposs? 
ble.  And  his  presence  here  must  for^  time  be  a  dead  secret 
Above  all,  Sir  Vane  Charteris  and  his  familj^  ve  t*  be  kept  ii 
total  ignorance.  He  ba<le  me  give  yoii  this — it  explains  everti 
thing,  and  tells  you  where  to  fmd  him.  Conceal  it  quickly— 
here  is  Mrs.  Galbraith." 

She  thrust  the  letter  he  gave  her  into  the  folds  of  her  diess, 
just  in  time  to  escape  Mrs.  Galbraith's  keen,  black  eyes.  Ai 
on  that  other  night,  she  came  noiselessly  upon  them — this  time 
with  a  bland  smile  on  her  face.    . 

"  Ah,  Mr.  Earlscourt !  so  happy  to  welcome  you  back. 
Such  a  surpris/^,  Paulina,  love,  is  it  not  ?  and  a  celebrated  au- 
thor and  hero  and  everything.  Everybody  is  talking  of  you 
and  your  book3,  I  assure  you." 

"  Everybody  does  me  too  much  honor,  Mrs.  Galbraith.  Miss 
Lisle,  adieu." 

He  bowed  with  K!s  old,  negligent,  courtly  grace — his  old, 
careless  smile,  and  sauntered  away.  Paulina  looked,  with  Ian 
inexplicable  expression,  after  the  tall,  graceful  form,  and  saw 
the  daughter  of  the  house.  Lady  Edith  Clive,  flutter  smilinglj' 
up  to  him,  with  both  hands  outstretched  in  glad  welcome.  Shie 
turned-abruptly  away,  and  looked  no  more. 

"  Mrs.  Galbraith,"  she  said,  **  I  want  to  go  home." 

"Ceruinly,  PauUna,  love — but  where  is  Lord  Heather- 
land?" 

"  Gone  long  ago.  Order  the  carriage  at  once ;  I  am  tired 
and  sick  to  death  of  it  all." 

Mrs.  Galbraith  looked  at  her  in  astonishm^t  What  was 
the  matter  ?  Where  and  why  had  the  Mar({uis  of  Heatherland 
fone,  and  what  meant  all  this  unusual,  angvy  impatience  ? 

Sir  Vane  canoe  up  at  the  moment,  his  florid  face  a  shade  or 
two  less  florid  than  usual,  and  his  small,  black  eyes  looking 
Jtraiigely  startled. 

"  Paulina  t "  he  exclaimed,  in  a  half  idu|per,  ''do  jron  know 
irfao  had  come  f  " 

*•  V-ss,  1  know." 

**  iiut,  good  f  {eaven,  Paulina,  what  is  to  be  done  f    Yo« 
'frtwwed  nie^the  paper ^iarspoke  of  him-  as  dead,  «nd  novr^ 
acre  he  it  'aack  again.     Aitd  there  is  l^ord  Heatheiiand.  vd 
Hm  settlements  prepared,  and  the  wedding-day  named 
%m,  ^^  f«t »»  be  done  ?" 


S4« 


BRLD  ASUNDBtt. 


ttyou  oi 


mJ'a^„  ^'TN**  ^?u ''''"?'" '"•^'^  *  hysterical  laugh. 
me  alone,  Sir  Vane  Charicm  ;  1  a,n  not  fit  to  talk  t. 
any  one  tonight." 

r.^1  'r!;*^^/'  ^^'l ^"^  "oticed,  for  the  first  tune,  ths  ghasth 
pallor  of  her  face  th,j  dusky  hre  in  her  eyes.  He  gave  b«  !^ 
ann.  without  another  won],  and  led  hereto  the  carriage  U. 
the  way  home  not  a  word  was  spoken.  Mrs.  OalbraUh  wt  i^ 
Sleep!:^!"  Vk"*'".  """^  '^o  questions.  Maud  lay  back  h.S 
^UsCdo?"  An?i  '7^""y  ^-P'^-tmg  :  "What'the  IcMC. 
Tk^  ,.^"'!  Haulina,  in   a  corner  of  the  carriage   sar 

hertr;;^  Tif:  ll  "h^  r  '""•  ^•^•'^'^'"^  sense  of  nir;^^; 
S^    1  ;       ^^'*'*''  ^'''^  Gonie— was  here  !     At  any  othe/ 

tone  those  tuhngs  would  have  dnven  her  half  wild  ^th  deCht 
bnt  even  th.s  news  had  httle  powr.r  to  move  her  now.         ^ 

They  reached  ho.ne.     She  toiled  wearily  up  the  atairs  to  he, 
own  luxurious  apartments.     licr  French  maul,  F.ng Lh     W 
^esspr  sat  waning  for  her  young  mistress,  halfTke/r^^ 
cnair.     Paulina  dismissed  her  at  once 

mo^^ing.'"'"'  ^°  '"  ^'^  '^^'^''   ^^  °°^  ™t  yo"  tlii, 
The  girl  departed,  yawning.     The  moment  she  was   gone 
Paulina  locked  the  doors,  drew  a  chair  ilcse  to  the  Itxl.fh"s 
«.dtook  the  letter  Guy  Kariscour,  had  given  her  from  ^ne  cor 
sage  of  her  dress      She  knew  that  bol.l,^.anIy  ..-ind  ^ell     tL 
tore  u  uupetuously  open  and  read  Us  brief  contents  :         ' 

>  "Charing  CROS4   Hotkl, 

fc-r-_i:  .  "'■7*  '— Vou  tee  I  have  answere<l  your  pruy.-r  at  last-I  m« 
Mens-hcre  to  redr«a  the  wrongs  of  the  living  or  to  avLe  ,he  detd  h^ 
after  iwo-and.twenty  years,  to  reclaim  your  mother_.„fw  i  ''"'^~^'"«'    " 

crv^'A'I!.!^  "I'opP'd  from  P,„lm,-,  h„d,  ,;,h  .  ,„,  „„,^ 


^  thc_truth  of  hei  ^ht^s  ^^rc?Br  Tf,e  iughr  inT7vnlIItr 
CSnuHse,  wMere  my  kdy  had  kissed  and  cncd  ov«  her,  tiZ^ 


HELD  ASVNDEt. 


940 


night  risft  tn  I>uke'8  cottage,  and,  above  all,  a  va|^e,  intangi- 
ble •omethin^  that  haij  always  «lrawn  her  to  tke  u..riappy  laAly. 
How  stupid,  how  blm.!  she  had  beeri,  not  \a  gueia  ihc  irmth 
befcfc !  V"\ 

'  V  % 

**  I  never  Iciew  untU  a  few  months  ago,"  the  let:*V  went  on,  «*  tlie  ter 
slble  fact  that  she  was  not  insane  when  shut, up  in  a  madhduse.  Wr.  EaiU 
:ottrt'  told  me.  I  have  returned  at  thfearliesl  possilile  momeni,  anc"  I  m\ 
»evei  rest  until  I  have  found,  have  reclaiiiie<l  her.  He-jven  l>e  merciful  Ir 
ViUiran  error.  I  may  be  too  l^i*  to  save  Hfer.  hut  \  meant  it  for  the  hest. 
You  will  come  to  me  here — I  long  to  see  you,  my  (iafiing — my  Olivia', 
child.  " 

"  Von  will  ask  for  •  Mr.  Ifawksley,'  and  you  will  keep  the^ct  of  mj 
presence  in  England  a  dead  secret.  Do  not,  in  any  way,  show  to  Sir  Van« 
Charteris  that  you  susjject  or  know  the  truth.  We  must  t>e  suhtle  u  , 
serpeni-j  in  dealing  "with  a  serpent.  Mr.  Karlscourt  ^oes  to  the  Countesf 
of  Damar's  )tail  to  give  you  this  to-ni^t-j-to- morrow,  at  the  earliest  poui- 
We  hour,  I  shall  expect  you  here.  Cntu  1  see  ^ou.  my  own  dear  cihiid 
»dieu."  f-  \     * 


m 


She  knew  all  at  last— at  last.  T^e*  mystery  that  for  the  pasi 
eight  years  had  been  the  unfathomable  •fiystery  of  her  life  wai 
solved.      Her  mother  was  found. 

The  reading  of  the  letter  had  calmed  her.  She  held  it  to 
the  lighted  tapers  and  watched  it  burn  to-ashes.  Then  she  ex- 
tinguished them. 

The  ros  /  ilawn  of  the  sweet  May-day  wa4  lighting  the  east 
ilready  as  she  drew  back  the  curtams  of  silk  and  lace  and  flung 
*ide  the  casements.  The  fresh,  cool  air  bl«»w  in  like  a  bene- 
diction oil  her  hot  and  throbbmg  head.  W^ha^  a  ni«ht  the  past 
night  ha.l  be':n — how  a  few  hours  had  changed  her  whole  life  I 
A  y*ar  set  mod  to  have  elapsed  since  yesterday — bil^ce  yester- 
day, wiien  she  stood  here  with  Lord  Fl'eatlierland's  ^nng  on  \\n 
ingei  and  trills  of  song  upon  her  lips.  The  Hashing  diamond 
f  IS  gone  now,  only  a  |)la-r  circlet  of  gold  on  the  thnil  hjiger  d 
\bi  left  hand  and  the  opal  nng  f)uke  had  given  her  kVng  age 
ff  mairicd.  She  was  peculiar  m  many  things — in  this,  that  she 
rarely  wore  jewels  of  any  kind.  She  h)oked  now  at  that  shio- 
iiAg  wedding-nng— strange  tJiat  she  had  always  worn  Mat,  and 
ber  thoughts  reverted  back  to  hiin,  to  herself. 

"Why  had  he  returned?"  she  thought,  "and  h>w  will  it 
end?     He  scorns  and  despises  me— how  can  he  do  othenriie 

rhat-is-niy-life  tu-ber-bowid  ta  h4t»,^md  hel4^i^»f t  ff«>nvhiBh 


W 


*y  that  very  tie  of  marriage  ?     And  i  thought  I  could  have  left 
Eagiand  «ad  him  iorevei,  and  now  a  new  duty  hdda  me  her* 


y 


■A. 


iiO 


BELD  ASUNDEM. 


^      "^fl^i^^  *"y  ^"^^^  «terest  of  my  own— /mil  r««.I. 

S.SS^ndt'^r™".''^^'""'  ^'^'«''.  ^d  bear  thewcffl 

illlwL!!.  "'""X  broken  engagement— worse  than  Aat 

^^iH  r-  "-l  "«»'  h™  «  I  trSued  hin.  last  nithT'  ^ 

She  Urd  her  head  against  the  cold  gUss  with  a  K  tir-l 

ta^be^n  ror  Vt^^,  .IS"p::KnTa:r  h^r'ra.t' 

i«*own.  and  rfng  for"her  *S     ^''"  *°  """  "■  »  ^'* 
^Clear  away  tjiose  things,  OdiUe,  and  fetch  me  a  cup  of  te. 

tad??ch,l"JSr'^,,*'  *™r«  *"»»"•  »"<1  bunt  ap  her  youn. 
Iae«^«ti^^I'T"'^  "■"*'''•     '"  «f'«»  "Ii""t«  M^M 

^^f^t  'i.;r<;Tn3Ti„:f-'r4E  4^;^^ 
p^.r-L'-.r^ro^d;:- -iHo-i^-^^^^^^^^  :^ 

*.  d^e,'""  *"""  "  -^  '^«'  »  cab,  a'nd  g^/ISe  ord»  « 
•'  Charing  Crow  Hotel" 

kJii-rairgrnS.*  .-„r  •''^--  »«*«'r  -  -» 

At  iMt,  at  last— in  ten  mmute*  itui 
«««  ACT  unieen  lather 


mmuie*  iha  would  be  lue  to  fkc« 


t"^. 


^ 


M: 


"f* 


vnll  reraab 
lud  then— 

e,  anj^y 
e  and  play- 
he  wcrltfi 
than  ihat< 
ight ' 
long,  tire^ 
fe  seemed  / 
■  busy  day 
;r  floanng 
piikleifS — 

sping  the 
a  a  dresfi- 

up  of  tea 

awav  the 
:  up  Misi 

^  the  tea; 

am  go- 
can  tell 

er  young 
ites  Miss 
,  a  cioae 
to  Stan 
ble  pe» 

ordsr  to 


aa  the 

to  fact 


,-t^L.' 


W^MrWG^W  m  DAME, 
CHAPTER  Vt\ 

;     irORKING  IN  THK  DARK. 


S«f 


"»*> 


nature. 


IN  his  room  at  the  Charing  Cross  Hot«l,  Robeit  fhwfav . 
ley  sat  alolfe  by  the  open  window,  smoking  his  ii|eer- 
schaiim,  an<J  waiting  for  his  daughter's  coming  with 
that  grave  patience  that  long  h^bit  had  made  second 

Crowds  passed  to  and  fro  on  the  pavement  bel(4l,  Uie  brigh.X 
it  ay  sunshine  gilding  every  face. 

Very  fresh  those  rose-and  white  Englidi  factes  looked  in  the 
tlear  light — how  thoroughly  English  the  women  were,  with.theii 
pright  bloom,  their  fair  skin.  He  had  seen  hundreds  of  Amer- 
ican women  in  Northern  cities,  with  their  delicate,  wax-lik«  ' 
beauty,  their  Parisian  dresses  and  their  gay  Parisian  manners, 
and  had  admired  them  from  afar  ofl,  but  here  he  fcit  as  though 
he  had  brothers  and  sisters  and  home.  Why  had  he  not 
braved  the  worst  and  returned  long  ago  ?  He  wondered  at 
himself  now  as  he  looked  back.  Why  had  he  not  defied  af 
th^ir  tt:eachery  and  basseness,  and  torn  that  day,  at  the  very  al 
tar,  his  wife  from  Sir  Vane  Charteris*  anns  ? 

••  Is  it  fate  ?  "  he  thought     "  Is  our  path  beaten  fdfus  at  oui 
birth,  and  must  we  walk  straight  along  willy-nilly  to  the  ap- 

pomted  end  ?  '  In  a  few  moments  I  .shall  see  my  daughter 

tnine — I  who  for  nearly  five-and-twenty  years  have  been  « 
houseless,  friendless,  solitary  man,  and  perhaps  f  nd  her  in  spite 
of  her  letters,  in  spite. of  all  1  have  heard,  cold  uid  selhsh  mi 
worldly."  »%'*'' 

1  here  was  a  Up  at  the  dota  atl&e  moment,  and  a  waitei 
altered. 

*•  X  lady  to  see  Mr.  Hawksley,"  he  anndiinced  ;  and  then  a 
lUtely  figure  ap|ieared  close  behind  him,  ^ed  and  sirofJy 
dressed,  but  looking  a  "lady"  from  t^  crown  of  her  head 
the  Bflle  of  her  foot. 

The  waiter  di<yippeared,  closing  the  door  behind  him. 

Robert    Hawksley  arose,  layina  down  his  pipe — the  Ui'^ 
nnng4>aek  b«r  veilpand  father  anadau^tter  stood  Cue  to  futie^ 

For  the  s^iace  of  five  seooads  they  stood  in  dead  alenet 
looking  at  each  other.     .Sttf  saw  a  man  brooscd  ud 


"^ 


THE 


nair  rjpplir^   low  over.  ...^^    ur 
•▼eet,  sertuMve  l.,,s.  and  a  liur|^i,rve,!,  ., 
■Thev  veie   stjiikingly  alike,  t^e yes, 
casoal  observer  might  hav^j^Mi!  the 
'  f""led— a  snii'e  c(f  great  (jontent 
ilry-s  bearded  Jp-^^d  he  cam^for^ 


«v 


^  ««lVes  oi  ejclainaf^ons.  t^sijp. 
t>iv-fouiid  relatives  flm^  ther^ftelve* 
itatic  screams.  Mn  re4lif4f,vhen 

On  aiimj, __-  ^^     ...     ...  '     1 


"l 


\ 


Er.i'r.  i'.*^  i-'^'' •". "-"  >' "  "«=  far 


I  ^'i      '   — — -.v^.iii  Kij.-ia  I  .isnr  was  never  at 

^    ari^.hcr  heart  was  full,  and  vu  wonls  came.      He  was  the  nu\r? 
^  %WPHH»sed  and  seir,H.s..s:>.d  ryf.Me  two.  f 

-     .^^^-^Iscourt  gave  yi,tt  my  letter  ?  "  - 

■       .Sft  fh^Tl"*"'^  ,\*""''  «^'«^"<^''  that /A,/ name  should  be  ' 
"tUiit^it  the  first  word  frfiin  his  lips. 

„     I'  What  a  sun)rise  it  npisi  have  been  to  yon  I  " 

;'•  VV hat  ^(«hJ  would  It  have  done?"  -       . 

nev'i.,    h,L    ''^  k'  ^''^'  '^""«  "''•  "  ''^*'  S'^  V,*ne  Charteris  should 
Qp|!f    have  shut    my  mother  up  in   a  ma<l  house      M„  .  ^ 

meanfo,  other  1  would  have  reicued  he" t.ng  ago.''  '  "'"'^ 
^^x^.T'^  ''''"""*^  '"'''"'"^  ^^^^^  you  heard  your  mother. 
.'C.!!i-K'   *^'"''    "°''  *'''^    y*"*    *    "<"^"    suspected.  .  »thi 

I   liked  her  excedmgjy.      And  to  thn.k  Str  Vane  Ct 
knew  that  1  was  her  daughter  ail  »hose  years.'^ 
How  hai  he  treated  Ifll.  Hanlma— harshly  >" 

He  dve  DtfM  1  wtfuSPRiduie  harbhor*,  ti„\„  „t 


\ 


.^* 


•iawjial-. 


T  thar 


aj^. 


WVRmSG  Iff  TBS  DAMX, 


SS3 


^,  and  the 

lif^phen 


pw:||nd 

''  ■\'-'  ■ 
a  loss  j||r 
qll^verift^ 
the  uidre 


hould  btf 


igret  yoo 


is  shnuid 
Hy  sornt 


I  Jl  **"*  '"^an^^e  only  did  he  ever  try  to  omkc  me.  and 

K*<1  hitn  in  that."  -  -^         -n  —-^f 

,.    H^r  fac^  g!oon.e.i  over  as  she  spoke.     Had  not  that  iniUnu 
^Tn  whict,  she  had  baffled  him  embittered  her  who.e  Ufe  } 
"fns i!  .^*^'"  *""  ^'^"  **"*'  "y^"'  1«^"«"  ««ver  told  tae. 

Ooold  not  have  h.lped  n.e  }     1  fought  my  own  batUe  and  mlZ 
He  wished  you  to  n.arry  some,  one  he  had  chosen  for  you-  ■• 
SW  your  fortune,  no  doubt  ?" 

«-  He  ^:ilwty„e  to  marry  Ix>rd  Montalien.     From  what  rao- 
bve,  I  do  not  know.     Lord  Montalien,  with  fifteen  thouiand  . ' 
y^ of  his  own,  could  scarcely  tdsh  to  many  nic  fortny  for 

- ."  [;0^^ J^^oltairen  !     AVhat !     Guy-*  elder  brother  r\ 
"Mr.  Karlscourt's  elder  brother." 
Robert   Hawksley  looked  at  her  searchingly.      The  n-oud. 

and  -.et  at  the  memory  of  that  past  time.  )     '  ^^ 

'■  Anii  you  wou-vi  not  ?     \'ou  did  not  care  for  him  ?  " 
'I  not  only  did  not  care  frtr  him-^ne  niMht  get  over  that 
-/  hated  him      I   beheved  h.m  to  haVe  ^rlfrged  a  fne  d  1 

He  was  watching  her  still-a  grave  smile  upon  his  face. 

I  wonder  l  that^hatred  extends  to  (;uy  ?     1  hope  noL  foi 
have  grown  as  fond  of  hm,  as  though  he  were  my  own  soi ."      " 
Her  (ace  Hushed  all  over-a  dee^,  painful,  burning  red. 
I  have  no  reason  to  dislike  Mr.  EarUcourt,"  she  answer  vi 
the  words  cou.mg  with-an  effo.t ;  "  he  did  me  a  great  serv  « 
once— a  service  fe*  men  would  have  rendered  " 

••  You  intLst  have  been  e(,ually  astonished  and  delighted  wh  »  , 

u  fwT blu  •"    ^^  ^'^""  '°"  ^^*  '''^^'  *^  ^'  ^«'^'^^''' 

Jli^"l"'''''^  '"'T'^"^  ^yP"«!Af""bt,  since  I  thought  hi . 
^a.1  Do  you  noVknui^fthav4i#3Uh  was  announc^, nut 
„donais  ago  m  one  ^f  the  An.encan  ,Hf>er»  you  sent  mfe  ^  " 

i  did  not  know  It.  And  you  really  th.MiRht  him  dead  uifi  b  i 
opi^eared  like  a  ghost  before^you  ?     Not  that  Guy  much  reattr! 
Dies  a  ghost  at  present.      It  was  as  close  a^  thing  as  ever  I  nam 
^teHHi^lf  a^iundred,wougds/artd%ug^^^^^ 
paigi^like  a  lion      It  wa.  wlffe  he  lay  sicl  in  the1ic,,HUl,  d 
to  death,  that  1  found  your  picture,,  in  »  locket  Httacboi 

....  ■  .  jU.  . 


4 


■V' 


jV  ,  s^ 


1,'*% 


.  ' .  ■?■        ■  '  *  ' 


Sf4 


fntmffi 


6  m  ran  dmk 


\n  bis  watch-chain,  and  diacovcrcd  that  he  kn«w  foo,  a»4  «w 
a  countnmun." 

That  deep  dush  rose  up  once  more  on  Paulina's  faix  face. 

'*  My  pictuieJ^"  she  said.     '*  How  came  he  by  that  ?     I  ca 
taJnly.  never  gave  jt  to  him.'^ 

♦•  He  told  me  as  much  afterward — owned  that  he  fn^oioed 
bass  sou^mir  or  England  and  yoOf  to /carry  into  his  exile. 
Ah,  he  u  a  brave  lad,  and  a  gallant  onei  He  ^ved  my  life 
once  at  the  risk  of  his  own." 

"Tell  me  about  it— father." 

Her  voice  was  rtrangely  soft  and  tremuloas — ^her  face  dropped 
forward  on  her  father's  shoulder,  something  vagiie  and  sweet 
stimng  in  her  heart  It  was  a  theme  Robert  Hawksley  liked 
well — the  young  man  had  grown  as  dear  to  hint  as  a  son.  He 
told^)^r,  while  the  moments  went  "by,  stories  of  his  bravery,  ol 
his  generosity,  of  his  genius,  <A  his  irreproachable  life— of  how 
nobly  he.  had  redeem^  the)  past. 

"  I  beUeve,  at  the  worst,  his  greatest  crimes  were  but  d^c 
dtoiightless  follies  of  youth.  Guy  Earlscourt  has  the  noblest 
•a^e  df  any  man  I  know.  He  could  not  stoop  to  «io  a  mean 
tfr  dastardly  thing.  His  comrades  idolized  him — his  officers  re 
spected  him.  I  believe  he  is  a  true  genius,  and  destined  to^^ 
make  a  shining  mark  in  the  literature jaf  his  (i^iy"  s     , 

An  interval  of  silence  followed — his  daughter's  face  waa  stilly 
tidden,  but  it  was  to  hide  the  tears  that  were  falling  now,^-  .    "  ^* 

And  this  was  the  ^ban  she  thought  capable  oi  selling  \^%  tnin^    \ 
iood  for  her  money — the  man  whohadsacri&ced  his  life  to  save 
her  from  his  brother  I  ^, 

"  1  don't  see  the  need  of  pur  spending  the  first  hours  of  oai 
meetii^  in  talking  altogethn  of  Earlscourt — hni;  bellow  thou^ 
he  be.     It  strikes  me  1  should  like  to  hear  aotneihing  of  youi- 

itir      ■  ,  .,.•'..  ,.^v'"^ 

She  lifted  her  face,  and  1aug;hed  a  little  bitterly.  \ 

**A  most  unprofitable  subject     I  am  a  fa^onable  lady, 
wrapped  up  in  dressing,  dancing, 'driving — rather  a  striking  co» 
JBUt  to  thn  sort  of  life  you  have  been  speaking  of." 
**  And  engaged  to  the  Marquis  of  Heatheriand  ?  " 
"No." 

•*  No  ?  /  ViThy.  I  saw  in  the  •  Morning  Post '— "  /  ' 

**  V^  likely — still  even  tlie^ress  is  not  infallible,    flbch  m 
'"^ffp^gMtmem  did  exiit,  but  itTus  ceased."  "^         ~  —j' 

**  It  has  ceased  I     May  I  ask — since  when  ?  " 
She  iiocbed  a  little  iinder  his  grave,  sioadar.  kiiu%  tfm. 


v\ 


A 


^\ 


'^ 


\ 


.A..A, 


Iki^iJ.'feUi, 


umI 


ftce. 

I  Cd 

Moined 
s  exilA. 
my  life 


lroop«d 
i  sweet 
ey  liked 
n.  U« 
very,  <^ 
-of  how 

but  tht 
noblest 
a  tneao 
icers  re 
ined  to  , 

va«.  sUU^ 

I  to  save 

}  of  oai 

thou^ 

:>(  youi- 


le  ladf, 
ingoott- 


f 


s^» 


^ 


r» 


WORKING  IN  THE  DARK, 


355 


; 


"Since  last  night."  '  \/     , 

'Did  you  love  Lord  Heatherland,  my  dauffliter?    The 
world  speaks  well  of  him."  ^         s 

"  And  hj  deserves  all  the  world  can  say— he  is  one  of  the 
bast  ine.i  I  ever  knew.  But— I  never  Itfved  him.  I  don't 
know  that  I  ever  Uved  any  one -that  I  am  capable  of  it  I 
am  hard,  and  selfish,  and  worldly,  and  ambitious,  and -all 
evil  timrs— unworthy  to  be  any  gojd  man's  wife.  I  shall 
never  marry— yo  I  n_^ed  not  look  ajt  me  in  that  way~I  mean 
u.  M/  ea,^^g'm,•nt  w  th  Lord  Heatherland  has  ceased— 
what  I  am  now  I  wi|l  goto  my^grave.  When  we  hnd  my 
mother -ah!  why  should  we  talk  of  anything  but  her?— we 
three  will  leave  this  London  liie  and  all  pertaining  "to  it 
an  1  grow  old,  m  peace,  somewhere  out  of  the  world  " 

Her  voice  gave  way  in  a  sort  of  sob.  Not  capable  of  lov- 
tny  any  one,  when  she  knew  that  she  loved  Guy  Earlscourt 
d  ariy— iearly,  and  that  she  had  loved  him  from  the  first- 
ay,  in  the  days  wh-n  Allan  Fane,  the  artist,  had  whiled 
away  m  her  company  that  rosy  summer  eight  years  gone 

"  Let  ns  ta  k  of  my  mother,"  she  repeated.     "What  do'* 
you  propose  to  do— how  to  find  her  ?" 

"Tae  n\jst  skilled  daectivcs  of  Scotland  Yard  must  do 
that.     Can  you.  l,ving  under  the  same  roof  with  Sir  Vane 
Cnarteris.  thro  v  no  light  on  the  pi  ce  of  ht^r  concealment  ?" 
-, "I  am  afraid  not;  and  yet,"  Paulina  said  thoughtiuly 
perhaps  1/can.     I  have  repeatedly  ask.  d  him,  and  so  has 
Maud  -his^own  daughter,  you  know— to  take  us  to  ffet-  her 
bjt  his  ansv^er  was  i.ivariably  a  refusal.     It  was  no  .sight  for 
yonng  girls,  he  said.     Once  Maud  told  me  in  confidence 
she  thought  her  mother  was  confined  somewhere  at  Ches- 
wick.  in  a  private  asylum  there.     At  least  it  is  a  clue— you 
might  follow  it  up."  ^ 

*•  I  will.  If^i*ci  is  in  England,  it  should  not  be  so  hard  to 
hnd  her.  My  poor  Oliv.a  !  what  has  she  not  suffered  all 
her  hie  long.?  Can  anything  in  the  future  ever  atone  to 
her  fo|,the  past  ?" 

•  Let  us  hope  »gtay  father.  If  we  can  only  find  her,  I 
am  quae  sure  .vv^pf  make  her  happy.     You  are  certain." 

4;g^^L"^^.i^JJiner^ 
rtj^Yriage  r"     -.^  — ^—      : 

"Quite  certain— it  is  beyond  dispute.  I  shall  ^et  detec 
tives  on  tiie  track  at  once,  and  remam  quietly  here  to  await 

events.     Can  y<»^  , me  to  see  me  often,  Paulina,  or  will  it   . 
inconyenience  y^  loo  much  ?"  |^,       / 


'isMsis^  i^'^t  \ 


,  *'#■''■ 


S5<J 


r-* 


I  6 ARK, 


*•  I  ihall  come  td#lb  you  every  day  at  this  hour,  'J  you  like 

- 1  am  in  every  wpy  my  own  nu&trcssr  free  to  come  an  1  go  aa  I 

choo«c.     And  txpw,  as  it  is  close  upon  two  o'clock,  I  thmk  I 

He  led  l|er  .to  the  doOr,  and  they  parted  with  i  hand<laff 
He  was  ney^i^  demonstrative,  anc  her  relationship  waa  tscm  m 
yet  to  K^'^m-, 

As  she  (|Mr  her  veil  over  her  face  and  turned  to  descend 
Mr.  EarUGd|i|t  came  sauntering  up,  lookmg  v-ry  hirjaome  is 
his  careM^  morning  costume.  He  removed  his' hat,  bowed  in 
8llence,4^d  passed  on  into  the  apartment  of  his  friend. 

Miss  r^sle  reached  home  in  time  for  luncheon.  'I'liert  were 
always  three  or  four  droppers-in  for  that  repast  undei  ihc  baro- 
net's  Hospitable  roof,  and  I'aulina  found  the  subject  under  dis- 
cussion to  be  the  unexpected  return  of  Gij^'  Earlscourt. 

"Lucky  beggar  1'  always  fell  upon. his  feet,  and  writes  books 
•  aod  makes  pots  of  money.  Wish  1  could  write  books.  All  the 
women  throwing  themselves  at  his  head  alieady— Lady  Ktlitli 
Clive  li«i^  night,  an3c  now  you,  M:zz  Ctiarieris.  Why  couldnt 
thi  ellpw  stay  where %ft  was.  anvl  marry  a  Yankee  ?  Here'g 
Mtts  Lisle— let's  hear  what  she  says.  Miss  Lisle,'  Miss  Char- 
teris  says  Earlsr  urf  s  the  handsomestjiftan  in  London.  Youi 
taste  is  inaisputable,  what  is  your  |^nl|n  ?" 

••Really,  Mr.  Ciallis,  I  have  not  th(iught  sufficflrvtly  upon 
the  subject  to  form  an  o^|k>n.  "Qne  cannot  decide  lao  innK>rt 
ant  a  question^  r  4  awar^fte  pm^  of  maiculme  beauty  aU  in 
A  moment."      ,  " 

"All  in  a  moment l^exdauned  Maud,      "\v4iy,  raiilina,  "^ 
ySu  knew  C.uy  a^es  ago,  d^fmh  Lincolns^e,  and  wH|i  vou , 
first  canW  r.ut-*-or  was  it  b«k«e  you  camepuv^ere  inj  Loiidon  I  " 
And  J'm  sure,  last  night,  you  and  he  had  quit^^'inteiestf 
conversation,  to  juilge  from  ycur  looks  jjj^^^lfere  we  Ic 
Mr.  ChaUis  says  Lady  Edith  Cive  ivijAe  love  .to  liiip  foi  ^Ihf 
rest  of  (the  night"  ^^R    * 

.."So%edidi'  pursued  ^|^.panisWSo  #e  women  tlwzfi 
did,  eveftlw||etr  Lhe  fellow  was  going  ipaight  to  the  dogs.     St 
^MF  *"^"^""^  t^ll  '"'T-I  know  you.     Farlscomt's  clsyeii 
a^tleucedly  gooil-looking,  and  the  fashion,  and  may  have  bii 
PJ^ and  choice^  before  the  season  ends.     lie  ought  to  go  la 

-fer  the  l.ady  Edith  ;  her  fortune  i5"soTnething^TnnnCTiie."~^ 

"Yei,"   said    Mrs.    Ga.orairli,    " he s   very   handsoroe,   an^ 
dcvw,  and  fajKioating,  alwjL/s  r-as  aud  has  just  Uui  ton  if 


"^^ 


V 


WORKING  IN  TUB  OAAX 


is; 


'%■' 


% 


«>  imtatiop  wVich  makes  ail  romantic  f^rls  lose  their  :eadi  at 
6fice.  Hut.  •ny.'-u»*»r' giris,  oon'l  either  of  you  ever  be  luu? 
enougli  t'o  'jJl  iu  love  with  a  literary  man.  'J'he  wives  of  nie« 
Oi  EeniJS  aie  the  tno.st  miserable  creatures  under  the  «in. 
Did  )-ou  ever  read  the  life  of  liayden  ?  Antl  if  so,  you  com 
MMionated  |K)or  Mrs.  Ilaydsn,  1  hoj*.  l.,ook  at  Lady  Hyron, 
*j|-ady  Bulwer,  hosts  of  them,  always  the  same  story* — private 
iN«(rry— public  separation.  The  reason  13  plain  enough.  The 
ftlfections  of  your  men.of  great  latcui  are  npt  cemred  on[  wife 
and  home,  like  those°^f  cominqnnlace  men.  The  painted 
cmnvas  on  their  easel/the  blotted  iiiliiuscript  in  their  desk,  are 
uca^rr  and  dearer  16  tlieni  than  wife  or  child.  IJklarry  .'iiian 
witn^ut  two  ideas  in  his  head,  and  his  heart  in  the  Hght'place, 
ird  yf)n  will  stand  (a  better  chance  of  happiness  t^an  with  so 
b.'iUiant  a  liteiary  niytcor  as  (luy  Karlscourt." 

"Qu:te  an  clocjuer.t  speech.  Aunt  Kleanoi,"  commented 
.^aisd,  "ami  tnie,  no  doub» — though  where _y<7wr  experience  ol 
dm)  t^f  gpnins  corn^  from  I  don't  know.  Uncle  Ralph  was 
Qflv  oveiLur'Jeiied  with  brajns,  from  all  I've  heard  of  him. 
\nSRn  spue  c^  vour  warning,  I  think  I  should  prefer  a  little 
inil»l  imjiiiJtholy  MS  the  wife  of  Mr.  Karlscourt,  to  the  perfect 
bliss  ipl^aipcak  of  with  a  man  '  who  has  not  two  ideas  in  his 
head.  "  ijft^oice  and  face  softened  ax  she  pronounced  the 
aalne  wiHi  iVK*-''^'*ii  tent'.emess,  and  a  faint  flush  rose  up  in 
her  p;«Ie  faoc!^ff<vinently  it  was  a  case  of  love  at  first  sight. 

Paulina's  eyes  liashed,  ar»d  a  resentful,  jealous  feehng  came 
into  her  heart.  What  right  Lsul  Maud  Charieits  tu  talk  of  be- 
ing his  wTfe  ?  ^ 

"  Karlscourt' will  have  none  c*f  you,"  said  the  young  gentle- 
man, who  had  first  ap|»eafed  to  Kviss  Lisle.  ••  1  met  him  at 
Fane's  studio  this  mornirtg— Kane,  the  artist,  you  know, 
Son:ebo<ly  chjatfed  him  about  tne  cxscction  his  beautiful  eyi 
ini  Ust  book  had  wrought  with  Larty  Kdith — she  has  been 
*ble  to  talk  of  nothing  eUe  since  ith  publication.  He  laughed 
It  first,  then,gr£w  serious.  '  It  is  nothing,  of  course,'  he  said; 
'  I  July  Edith  docs  me  the  honor  to  fancy  my  book,  perhaps, 
Vui  I  wish  it  to'tfc  understood  I  am  not  going  to  marry.  1  am 
ts  raucli  vowed  to  celibacy  as  though  I  wore  the  lemplar*! 
Cross.  1  chall  marry  no  one'  And  by  Jove  I  he  said  ft,  yo9 
know,  as  thotigh  he  meant  it." 
=^atihHa's  face  fJirsfletl—rher  heart  throbbed  vtoletttljr.  ^»f 
what  had  iixt  done! — what  had  she  done  I  "Yes,"  saki  Mn. 
Oalbraith ;  "  Mr.  £ari8cpurt  is  a  very  clever  man,  and  a  reada 


ite,^; 


■fife-' 


'W 


l:/  U 


"H 


358  WORKING  IN  TWR  DAUk  - 

of  human  nature.  Such  a  (declaration  is  all  thi  •  <^ed  to 
duow  over  him  a  halo  of  mystery  and  romance,  a.^u  make  hiia 
limplv  irresistible.  You  don't  speak,  Paulina — what  ajc  yoo 
thinking  of?" 

"  I  am  thinking  how  excee<lirgly  kind  it  is  of  Mr.  Earlscour!  ^ 
to  put  us  on  our  guard,"  Piulina  answered,  with  that  bitleiur**' 
which  was  always  in  her  tone  when  she  spoke  of  Guy  ;  ••  h«  i» 
•uch  a  dazzling  light  that  we  all,  poor  moths,  must  inevilabij 
ce  scorched  to  death  if  he  had  not  warned  us  away.  I  eui* 
pose  your  hero  is  no  more  conceited  than  most  men,  Maud  ;  tif 
only  shows  it  a  little  more  plainly.  Why  not  advertise  at  once 
in  the  Times:  'The  ladies  of  England  are  hereby  warned  n\rt 
to  bestow  their  affections  upon  the  undersigned,  as  fie  is  quite 
anable  to  reciprocate,  and  intends  to  make  non%  of  them 
happy  by  the  offer  of  his  heart  and  hand.' " 

She  arose  as  she  spoke,  angry  at  herself  for  the  vehemence 
with  which  she  had  spoken,. 

"How  you  do  hate  him,  Paulina,  dear,  don't  you?"  said 
Maud.  "  He  never  jilted  you,  did  he?  At  Mrs.  Atcherl/s, 
for  instance,  six  years  ago,  when  you  and  he  were  surprised 
together  in  the  ante-room,  and  pooi  auntie  here  was  so  angry  ^" 
The  random  shot  went  straight  home.  Paulina  turned  a 
dead  whiteness  from  brow  to  chin.  She  tried  to  reply,  but  her 
voice  failed.     The  others  lookeil  at  her  in  suqjrise. 

"  He  ^/// jilt  you  then  1^'  Maud  would  have  liked  to  siy,  but 
■he  was  afrljd.  There  was  tl.ai  when  she  was  moved  in  Mi8» 
Lisle's  face  that  always  awed  Miss  Charteris.  There  was  a 
little,  very  awkward  pause — then  Sir  Vane  came  in,  and  the 
conversation  turned  upon  something  else — Paulina  quietly 
leaving  the  room. 

Maud's  suspicions  w«-e  aroused  ;  and  from  that  hour  the 
determined  to  watch  Paulina  and  Guy  Earlscourt  when  they 
met  They  met  night  after  night,  and  day  after  day  now-uid 
jealousy  had  made  the  small,  black  eyes  sharp-fighteJ.  1(  f*^ 
love  at  first  sight  with  poor  Maud.  The  dusky  splendcH-  of 
Guy's  dark  face,  his  tall,  graceful  figure — his  reputation  as  a 
hero  out  there  in  America — all  had  dazzled  and  won  her. 
ILong  ago — he  had  been  fond  of  her — good  to  her— down  at 
Montalien — if  there  were  noihing  between  Paulina  and  him, 
surely  she  might  hope. 

Mr.  EM-lscourt  had  made  up  his  mind  not  to  rejnter  society 


upon  tu8  return  to  London.     He  had  ieanied  how  hollow  ana 
empty  it  all  was — lie  nad  learned  a  h-althicr  kind  qflife  in  thu 


"[l»..l-t«l! 


.h    "/If" 


■tt : 


m)RX/MG  UTtMB  DAMMT.  jjg 

pttt  lix  years.     But  he  found  himself  quite  a  "  Jion,'  the  here 
of  tlie  day  ;  society  sought  hnn— crowds  of  invitations  poured 
in  upon  him  from  the  highest  in  the  land.     Many  were  old 
friends  whom  he  could  not  well  refuse      So  he  said  to  himself, 
half  ashamed  of  his  yielding  ;  but  was  that  solely  the  reason  ? 
Wherever  he  went  he  saw  the  proud,  beautiful  face  of  the  girl 
rho  WM  his  wife.     His  wife  !  what  a  pang— half  pain,  half  re- 
fnor'e  -it  gave  him  !     He  should  not  have  taken  advantage  dk 
Jut  hjur  of  madness,  he  thou^t,  when  she  had  besought  hift^ 
.0  save  her— when,  carried  away  by  the  excitement  of  the  pi: 
^ate  theatricals,  she  had  become  his  wife.     U  was  blighting  hei 
life,  he  could  see.     She  hated  him,  and  took  little  pains  \q 
conceal  it.     Night  after  night  h«  left  those  gay  assemblfeal 
where  she  shone  a  queen  by  nght  divine  of  her  peerless  beauty 
and  grace,  vowing,  in  his  passion,  never  to  return,  and  yet- 
when  to-morrow  came,  the  temptation  to  look  once  more  upon 
that  perfect  face,  though  colder  than  marble  to  him,  was  irre- 
sistible, and  he  yielded.     And  she  never  dreamed,  in  the  re- 
motest  way,  how  with  his  whole,  strong  heart,  and  for  the  firs» 
time  in  his  life,  he  was  growing  to  love  her.     His  face,  the  long 
training  of  his  life,  kept  his  secret  well.     She  saw  him  petted, 
caressed,  the  brightest  eyes,  the  sweetest  lips  in  the  land  smil- 
ing  upon   him,  kn^^  that  he  studiously  avoided  herself,  was 
calm  and  courteoul,*  and  indifferent  when  they  met,  and  knew 
DO  more.  •„  Walls  of  pride,  stronger  than  adamant,  held  those 
two  haughty  spuits  asunder— were  likely  so  to  hold  them  their 
lives  long. 

Miss  Lisle  was  almost  as  much  an  object  of  interest  to  so- 
ciety just  now  as  (iuy  himself.  She  had  broken  otf  her  engage- 
ment with  the  Manjuis  of,  Heatherland-  at  the  eleventh  hour— 
[positively  refusing  the  best  match  of  the  season-.^and  a  pro- 
spective duke.  Lord  Heatherland  had  gone  abroad,  but  be- 
fcre  his  departure  he  had  taken  care  to  let  the  clubs  and  the 
Irawing  rooms  of  Belgravia  know  that  it  was  by  Miss  Lisle'i 
ymx  express  desire  the  match  hadJ«^eiy)roken. 

"  1  admir<»  her  above  all  w^#n;{^  I  always  shall,"  had 
liecn  his  words.  "  It  is  the  greitXiuis^rtune  of  my  life  that  she 
«>Ai}ttut  car«  foi  oje, strongly  enough  to  tife  my  wife." 

It  created  a  proiounu  sensation.  People  saia  very  hanl 
^8«  of  M'M  Lisle  behind  her  back,  called  her  a  heartless  jilt. 
-who  iwj^leridrnp  doubt,  as^  she  deserved,  by  being  an  old^ 
maid  "^ut  they  looked  upon  her  with  new  interest,  as  a  woman 
apable  of  trampling  under  foot  a  ducal  coronet ;  and  'At  beai> 
tilul  heiress  was  mure  sought  after  than  rver 


^ 


./i 


'v"  :*,.-, 


i^:; 


If 


3«t> 


WOKJnNG  IN  T/V&  DAMJt. 


7' 


N,«Tly  a  fortnight  had  passed.     She  visitrd  iic.  ftthei    -vwi 
r.!t  nf  M     r   ,  /'"^  I'::n>et..ally-day  and  night,  and  mihZ 

Jftow.d  him.     They  rarelj  .s|><'ke-a  formal  bow  in  passing  wai 
.      ^e  only  greeting  tney  exchanged,  but  in  her  hear    shTk^e, 

t  S    k\Tk''1  ■''■"'"'"•      ^'^'--"'^n-t,  vvouldnoTmarn 

a/^L  mis.rable-the  world  b.-jjan  tc  .ay  she  was  regreumR  the 

nep  she  had  taken  wuh  the  .narm.s-.hat  she  was  appruacnL  ^ 

ve  and-twenty,  and  gr..wmg  <p„te  fadccl  and  /..../^S^,'S 

.       «ck  at  heart-sick  body  an.l  soul,  longing  urrCj.eakably  forThe 

hour  when  her  mother  might  be  foundf  and  shi.  hcS  reV  to ' 

K  quit  Kngland  and  iim  forever. 

It  was  cl^se  up(,n  the  last  of  the  second  week,  that    n.akinff' 
>er  niorning  visit   to  her  father,  she  found  hur.   paang      ,  anS 
Jown  his  hote   sut.rtg  roorn-riushed,  excited,  Jxious^     '        ^ 
^on  h^s  t:  '"""'  '-'  '"  ^'^^  '-'^'^^'^  '^^^  h  -  ^'-  looked 
_    He  had  found  her-^r  rather  the  defective  in  his  e.fiploy  had 

>ms  hand— I  a.^  Lhartens  was  in  folenihly  ^jood.  health  both 
nien.ally.and  bo.hly.  an,)  the  n.ed.cal  si.pelt.uLnt  had  been ' 

.  cx.Hfct.ng  the  b,rone,  every  day  for  the  past  iKrft  weeks  t^ 
come  at.,|  take  his  wife  home.  Th^  asylu  n  was'TV.r^  i,f 
-|-tab.e  institution,  and.ady  Cha^!:  r^,^^  ^^J 
*bno,t  entirely  fcstyred,  and  ready  at  any  ..Wnent^^; 

.iLibv^y   v"  '^"'''r'"^"^""^-'^**'^'^^  the  pat,cnt"aughter     " 
jefttby  Sir  V,ane,^to  bnng  her  home.      Here  ,s  a  note  I  E 

*ntrn-a  pretty  good  imitation  of  his  har^dwriting.  1  th  nk^I^ 

^.ch  he  says  illness  prevents  his  accompanvmg^yhu        You 

pa  the  asylum,  you  will  take  the  first  train  for  lancohislnre"' 
Go  to  y.u,  ohi  friend,  Duke  ^lason•s-I  w.Vf^^^  10^  Qn^^^^^^^ 
«r*y  you  can  break  to  her  t»«  news  of  my  a   ivaUp^par"  jfer  ' 

cab  trilr  :^.f^^l^'>:;^:t  t  r:5  ^-^  -^-^^^  - 

at^,^^  ^i     II    *-.!           .              i-i. miles,  and  she  was   sD-'wiir- 
aiottf  ranidiv  Chfii«>wi<~b' v^a^vi  t..ii.. ,.        "«   ap.cuiir 


\ 


■  t^, 


^^jMly  Chcsinci  yatd.  fully  pic^aic-d  fo.  Oiciiait' Sr^ 


.    i 


t 

b 

D 

t< 
Ti 
1« 
fa' 

"vi 

vdi 
sh 

lo 

■Jill 

'I' 
cr 

Si 
se 


to  puy. 


tU) 


4 


r- 


4 


er>  discov- 

id  wiih  the 
-dith  Clive 
assing  wai 
she  kiiew 
lo^  inarrj 
;  hill  whc 
;w  restless 
etung  the 

She  was 
>iy  for  the 
-•ir  free  to 

t,  rna[fing 
g  u|)  and 

le  looked 

]>ioy  had 
( id' CSS  in 
ilth,  lioth. 
^lad  been 
iveeks   to 
oroiighly 
ned,  was 
feav'e. 
ir  faihei 
laughter,    ' 
e  I  h%.vc 
think,  in 
I.      You 
hen  you 
lUishiref 
On  the* 
>are  her  " 
t,  tei  Sir, 

credible 


fItOKKING  IN  THA    OAMK. 


The  jjart 


JOi 


^K 


^,       ,     .  requirei  little  durlicitjtoeo  Ji/oni 

Miss  Lisle  met  the  medical  su,  erinterdent,  ard  L 
herself  as  Lady  Charlens's  daughter.-  Che  gave  hin. 
uv.  .-.uer-s  forged  note— he  readmit  as  a- matter  of  coiirse^^ 
bowed  low  before  the  stately,  beautiful  woman,  and  led  her  at 
once  to  h.s  panent.  Paulina's  heart  beat  fi.t.  How  was  she 
to  teil  her  nunher  might  not  betray  her  in  her  first  surprise? 
!Hie  paused  as  th-;  uoctor  was  about  to  ^pen  the  door 

.Cc     'h'L'^^'k'"'.'^'  "'"7  '"°^''^'  '^^^  '^^^  se^-n  "^e  for  manj 
jreirs,     The  shock  may  be  too  much  f^j  her.     Do  you  m  iii 
.    4nd.  teil  h^  i  am  here,  and  let  us  meet  quite  alone  " 

'  J^/'V'^  please,  i\Iiss  Chartens,"  the  polite  superintended 
•aid;.. "you  can  wait  here."  , 

He  usher^;d  her  iAto  a  sunny  apartment.  She  stood,  Her  back 
himed  to  the  door,  looking  out  of  the  window,  trying  to  calm 
her  rapid  heart-throbbmg.     She  was  not  kept  waiting  loha.     i„ 

, three   minutes  the  door   opened,  she   turned  slowly  rourj- 
mother  and  daughter  stood  alone 'together  I 
-ilil'vr  ^'^yj^'''.^^  misery  and  imprisonmtjnt  had  done  th«ii 
w«rk  flpon  the  Wife  of  Robert  Lisle.     Her>rc  had  blanched  ' 
t«a,4^  waxei?  wh«eness-her  goldeo  hair  had 'turned  to  sil 
rer^    -pie  great  bla^  eyes  looked  out  froM,  the  bloodless  face 

3Sl^;5.f'^      "*''^'.'^''"*'''^  ^'''''^^•-    ^^"^  «^°°^  ""  the  threshold 
.  OTes^ittp-^l.-^emb  ing— she  did  not.recognize  this  lall,  Juno  hke 

-with    \\\,-   \c\v^\\t  fi«-«   ^^A   1 .  ;.     ;  ,  .      ■' 


VttuiUyi^^wuh  the  Jov^ly  jace  arid  large,  pitying  blue  eye|^ 


.      .    ^^^^l     sjie  faltered;^  "no,  you  are  fiot  Maud"     sa* 
drew  away   trembling  vioj^ntly  all  over.     "  ]  don't  know  yovw" 
she  said  ;  "  did  he  send  you  here  ?  " 

Paulin/  came  over,  put  her  strung  young  jjms  al^  htr.  and 
-'-  ^ile^  f ■'*""   '"-^^   ^^""^  frightened  face  with  a   ijfve,  Iclviiig. 
1.    ••  ••*  I  am  not  M*ud,"  she  whispered  with  a  kiss :  /l  tm  Pau- 
'■'-4  ^J"^  }''sl'^-'"Qiher-dear  little,  sutfens^  mother.     Ncv  donJl 

Su  Va^e  Chi^trfnanows  hotting  abcMit  iu  Don't  wait  to  aik 
Tiestion.-mo>v.-an*d  be  caln,_ion't  excite  suspicion.  I  aS 
going'  t»t4ifce  you  ^way-the" doctor  thinks  l\m  gi^  Vane'i 
aaugUt.^r^don•^«ndece^ve  him  Co.  get  ready  tit  oiSi.-ever, 
•econd  is  i)rtfCious,  ^nd  b^  caim-Lft^  all  our  sakiiH^apd^ 


t&f^Uel^'"  f"     "i-^^jhe  ^wer«i  fi^-    M«.^ 

''■"■■  ^  i-    ^     ;         If  ""IF-"  " 


.1 


A, 


9fo 


r 


WOMKWG  th   r^A    OAMK. 


ai«^fif"   '  '  requiret  npw.     And  how  about  the 

»uccS     The  ilinS  Z^l^T^  '4^  ^*^^"   ^^  ^^ 

adieu  to  the  baronefs  raSl^  "^  ^^   ^^« 

into  the  cab.     Thf  Lmen,  ^^^  daughter,  and  assisted  my  lad, 

fro,.,  the  asylum  ^heH  r  J    f     '  '*'*^'''  "^^'^  ^^^^'^'^nft  away  il 

had  been?ncar^;ra5.d  '""«  ''^'''  '^''  P°°^'  ^^  <=  '^on.at, . 

-You  look  bewildered  dX^ 
natural  the  na...e  comes       l^Jc     """"'^'^-^%  vl^w  easy,  how 
me.  the  rapidity  with  whi^h  tL^  h      k"""'  ^°^^>J*=r  you,  or 
-^^Jou^cUiLTyoutf^^^^^^^^  J  know 

-\ou  think  has  told  ,..e?"     SheTu.?!         -'^'^'"»-     ^^'^^  ^^^ 
»>peali^<ace-"  my  father."      ^^  ^^^'"^  "^'^  *  ^"^^^'  ^^^^ 

"  Your— father ! " 

10  cUin,  yol"  '^      ^"  *^""  ™sfonune-«,n.i„g  lL» 

y^'^^l"titTT:i'J:''irT^  *"^'  to  claim  yo. 


M^Si^'""  '•"  -'-^ 


„,^___*5"  ™ei,iJJJ¥iaL,«alB^' "tell  mg  Pa,,H«.     i         u 


^ 


y^ 


.^.., 


,  neemtpt 

y  rf^tored, 

so,  wceki 

Mnrnt  an4 

about  the 

wn,"  Paa 
her  own 

■Off." 

her  cwn 
he   bide 

J  my  lady 
away  fa» 

le  Honian  ^ 

then  sh^ 
irrus. 
;asy,  how 
r  you,  or 
1  know 
UTio  do 
mile,  the 


lusbano, 

>r  twic« 
lid  lips. 

:ar  good 
g  home 

to  h«i, 

tn  yon 
wicked 
unk  of 

hertt*" 


WOMMCING  IN  THE   DARK. 


3«J 


andSlm^^.i"  '""     """^"^  ""*^^  am„l«tw«B  ro« 
Her  mother  fell  back,  nearly  fainting.     Paulina  caajr*-!  both 
hands,  and  loc>ked  stra.ght,  almost  sternly,  into  her^v.l 

Ma2;^  ?.  7"'!!''  ^'^  «"""«  ^°«^  »«  Lincolnsnire,  to  I>akl 
Mason's  My  father  will  follow  by  the  next  uain.  7a^l 
Jjve  you  leave  to  famt,  .f  you  will  insist  upon  it  MeantimJ  } 
«m  going  to  fasten  th.s  veil  over  your  faci;  the»e  is^iSSLi 
'Miom  we  may  meet  at  the  station."  icuikg 

By  one  of  the  fatalities  which  rule  our  lives,*  and  which  we 
term  chance.  Sir  Vane  Chartens  had  chosen  that  ve^  Sv  to 

'u^:    ih  ""^rr"^"  '^•^""^  fr«™   ^he  asylum  to  aSS 
pnson.     She  had  been  received  in  all  goo<l  faith-shr  was  in 
sane  most  hkely  for  the  time,  and  for  weeks  after  her  emrL^e 
raved  m  delinum  of  a  brain  fever      llnnn  h-.  <="^'^'*"'^« 

h-d  been  at  tm,es  mildly  iL^Xdem'i'Zng^r  SsTd  ■ 
crymg  out  she  was  no  wife  of  Sir  Vane's,  and  nev^r  had  be^n 
that  her  true  husband  had  been  in  America     II  other  twS 
she  would  lapse  mto  sullen  despair  and  gloom,  ar.Css  Se 
days  in  speechless  misery.     So  the  6rst  years  had  gone!  ^ 

Of^late    however,  even  the  people  of  the  asyhim.  became 
convinced  of  her  perfect  sanity,  and  the  physici/n  hkr^pe™ 
ediy  urged  the  baronet  to  remove  his  wife_to  tal.e  her  abroad 
and  give  her  amusement  and  change  of  air.     Sir  Vaiie  h^ 
defayed  doing  so  to  the  last  ,K,ssible  ^momenT    At   ase%  happj 
Jought  struck  h.m      lie  would  fit  up  The  Firs  for  hjrecep 
hon,  employ  a  thoroughly  unpnnapled  and  tfustworthrwom^ 
to  take  care  of  her,  and  leave  her  to  drag  oat  the  remaindrof 
her  wretched  existence  in  the  dreary  desolation  of  that  desolate 
coast      It  was  bleak;  seafogs  ^nd  east  winds  were  abundant 
^e^vri7h^'  ^T\'■''^  draughty-Kleath,  no  doubt,  w^id 
EThi^    .K    "  f  \  ^""^^^^  incumbrance.     He  longed  ii  ten  J, 
for  h^  death,  and  the  sole  reversion  of  her  fortune  to  MaJ- 
Ihe  tmie  was  very  near,  he  thought  now. 

^  •«  »  t    M      "r^  *°  ^^"^  ^'y'"'^  '"  *  fo"'  wheeled  calv-he  meam 
"WJiatl"    the    s"l>enMenden^  exclaimed.     «« sir   Vani, 


JKMi^ter  his  inessengerT    An^  your  note  said^u  Wc«  1 
your^  has  been  a  speedy  recovery." 

aiy"iIS?'  "**'*'    '  ^^^  understand  you.    1  W,  come  fai 


^W. 


«» 


A 


moKK-iKG  -It  rstt  daMk. 


I 


,'Clr«e.'  '^  '  "  '"""  "•'"  "°".  <lemanding  hti 

i^ylu,,?"  "■"^^ns.    Hut    Lady   Uurlcm  has   kft    yoai 

"The  bt-arrr  of  that  note." 

"Who  uas  the  hearer  of  this  note  ?"    ' 

"  A  yo:ing  lady— your  daughter  "        '     >' 
•♦  My  dau^iiter  !      In.possibler' 
I "  She  announced  herself  j.*  I  a/lt,  r*k\ft».     -i     j       .  ' 

Mnie  thing,  I  take  it."  '^  Chutens's  daughler-th.  . 

"Wll  yju  tell  me  what  she  irar  lib.  >     i   !.<■.         j       .         ' 
M«.d  (11  at  l,„„,e  of  a  hea.lache  "  '  .^  ""''  '''''«'"'' 

tb.,.  d,ov.  upon  .e.av,;rhe;e,";^|,„/;" ''""  """"'  *'-'-  »«»■     ' 

^ps,tT^di  a";:,":^n,i„^d':„:"..'"^"'»'  -^^  /-!»«•= 


/. 


Vi^L^  r^uiinapossiDly  have  rrfken  h>T  ttuithrr  >   '  ll"    .i  'T'T 

*«n.  .«h.d!d  no.'.h.;^;:,;rL^;j;:^'  J,.'j,';;;;^;'j^, 

■      ■ .  ■-..■■.     ^'^  -  r  '   r 

**  •  ■  *■  _ 


<^^^^ 


k.iow 
>     '  Gone! 

lideiirg   aO 

mding  hei 

n  him  with 
Lhe  hue  of 

so   poor  a 

ml  enough 

u  mean  to 

left    youi 


place  the 
iccced  m 


Iter— the 

daughter 

bcaatiful 
Id  brown 

the  very 
lich  way  "^ 

f 

n  Vp^tell 

.>.4  ■    .' 

3n^<^ye  ... 


srif  niid 


WOMiTWO  tif-TttB  DaMJC. 


3«S 


^  people  he  knew  in  London  ;  exccjU  the  itcherlvi.  th^r* 

" 'i  .^.  ^  u   t^^"'  'V'^'  '"^r*'^^tian  flashed  uivn  hun. 
She  w    .   1  '^''  ''^  I''neoIn.h:re,  .o  her  old  hbn.e,  ,  <  o.irse 

She  would  never  atte.npt  to  keep  her  in   London.'   1  ,S 

He  looked  at  his  watch-an  express  train  wo,dd  I-ave  in  an 

Lk   h  ;  f     t   '  'u''"''  thoughts,  l,y  any  n.eans.      If  Fa,  lina 
.^k  her  to  Speckhaven,   Lord   Montai.en,  at  present  at  jll 
WoO'..  would    hear  of  it  at  once,  and  hand' over  the  i  air 
which  miphcated  hin.  for  b.gan.y.     ///x  .uarHaTe  co  M  i.'V 
be  proven   .llegal,  A.Jaud   nieguunale/anX  fortS  L^ 

-  .he|^^^;';t::*r-^^  '-hyd.dInotUnhe,whe„ 
HF reached  the"  London  terminus,  atid  waS  abtiut  t#mak« 
m9uir.es  concerning  the  passenf,ers  by  the  mail,  whkh  tad  leA  ' 
two  hours  before.     Paulina's  comman<t,ng  beauty  and  uecu  1.^ 

rrcrowder.  '"\'"  ^''T  ^'^  ^''^""^"  -'  the'offii'Ee"  '" 

would  have  lii'^^r  .'"'"''"^u^"^'""-     ^"^  ^he  questions  he 
would  l^ve  dbked  died  upon  his  lu>s,  as  he  approached  th* 

kaew'^Sr^'  A\.:rh  "it'"'  '"^^^  ticket,' ^aratit 
We,,f  the  slouched  sombrero.  heTet  ^^^1^2^ 

Mor.tahen>s  revenge  ,.a,  all  that  was  neeSlfc.r  h  s  TxpJ;ur1  " 
an.|  disgrace      And  yet.he  determined   to  follow-to  s^eS J 
play  i.layed  out-io  face  his  fate  without  H,nch,ft«      uTi^k 
hi.  ticket  and  hi.  place  in  a  dtlferent  compartmem  from  t^J^ 
of^M>ert  Lisle,  and  London  was  left  bellind  lik^  a  ^S^ 

were  ungnt-^into  the  rustic  heart  tif  Lin<  «>!     ■  •  - 


VI 


ihi  over/  * 


||antin 


^ng  westward  as'd-VuiJJlrirti:^^^;::^^ 
Kkccpiuf  out  of  «ght/ the  b«pi%t  waUii  to^ 


-¥ 


.•> 


i^'M 


5« 


•PAVUSA    re   4L/CM» 


SeU^  J;l  r  f^  ?.^?~-?*'  ^"*^"^*  ^°°»^  another-  -remdbiB. 
J«U  m  the  relt.     Duke  Mason's  house  was  -he  destination  bf 

?n«  ;^^TV  '^  "*^f  '""""*='^     ^'^»>^^'  •  'i«Je  sprang  *^rand 

to uJL      sTr  V    '  ^f-K*'"  ^'^"'  ""'^  ^^"•'^  steps  approach  ngmr 
hoih*.     Sir  Vane  Lhartens  also  dismounted,  also  enter  J  thf 
den     ai^    approached      The   house   door   was   o^L^    h 
a  woman  s  shr.ll  screa,..,  his  wife's  voice  he  knew  an'' 
,<i  nearer,  ard  stood  looking  in.  ^^cw,  an 

saw  a  very  striking  tucture.  '  ^'^ 

%e  Mason  and  his  sister  stood  apart-Paulina  was  in  the 
ril  i  *  "T'  u"^  standing  near  her  was  Robert  Lisle 
^oman  who  had  been  h.s  wife  iq  the  eyes  of  <l>e  ^ork. 
e  many  years,  lying  sidl  and  scnselesii  in  his  arms. 


ji' 


CHAPTER  V. 


1 

i- 


i'  ie 


"P^UUNA    TO   ALICK." 

I^f  hlf '  M  ^"^J  f '"*  *J'^^  '^'^  ™"  ^Ps*^  '^'th  the  sense 
of  h  s  utter  defeat.     He  set,  his  teeth,  and  strode  rcsa 
|.  lulely  tnto  their  midst. 

The  two  husbands  of  the  one  wife  after  a  quarter  of  a  cen 
^ury  were  once  more  face  to  fare  J  4wier  of  a  qen- 

1  "le  baronet  took  the  inif  itive  I 

'    J  «v*'  if  ^t''.'r*"»"8  «'  this  ?  "  he  demanded.     «  Who  are 

ftifb.:?!.,^       "'  ^*',"   '^"^  asylum  where  I  placed  her?" 
leSijT  ^"^  "''^      '"^'y'  *""  ^^^  interfered -quite 

•*  Mison,  win  yott  car*y  iny  wife  unraui  l  PtoUna.  vou  —li 
•cconnniny  Miss  Mason,  and  endeaWli.esto^Te?  j2 
dus  man, /will  answer  his  ..uestions.'  "*     *^" 

PwlmA  clas,>ed  her  ^nds  anxiously  about  his  arm. 

'•o«r   H>.«oaltefc«ion~|tf,^,i8^nieth*t"  \         '^  T 


^-    5*  >^H.       '' 


,  (  *. 


\' 

\ 


y 


# 


i    ..hi* 


as  in  the 

:rt  Lisle     -^j 

Jic  world'.,,    '^ 


<>" 


'^PAVUtfA   TO  aUCM.*" 


^ 


^  He  smiled  gravely.    '  ' 

"  ^Ih!/"^'"'*"*'*'  my  dear  ;  I  have  not  the  slightest  Jitention  of 
WOitenng  or  quarrelling  with  Sir  Vane  CKartteris.  A  stron^ei 
power  than  mine  ^hall  deal  with  Him^lic^ English  law  " 

He  placed  Ohvia's  fainting  for  'n  Duk^s  arms,  and  watched 
nun  and  the  two  women  vjtiit  .  room.  Sir  Vane  made* 
•econd  noisy  attempt  to  interfere 

•  Lady  Charteris  shall  not  qui  room  I    Mason,  on  vow 

penl  you  touch  my  wife  !V  .  x  ^ 

'  rJ^ti^^^i-  "^""^^  7T  baronet^-^rveyed  the  six  foot, 
powerful-lookmg,  soldidrly  figure  before  him,  and  wisely  heri- 
ta^ed  before  trying  to'enforce  his  words  by  deeds.  Xn  a  mo- 
IT    ■    they  were  alone.  ,  ■ 

^        ^    w  then;  Sir  Vane  Charteri^^said  Robert  Lisle,  folding 

I  C  ^.f  r*^  •??'''"«  ^""^  ^  ^^  siiiall,  pursy  figure  of  the 
f/a  et,  "  I  wUl  hear  ;irhat  you  have  to  say.  Vbu  asked  me  a 
nK:o.ent  ago  who  I  was-I  don't  reaUy  think  you  tver  needed 
to  ask  that  question."        .-— ^  ' 

"  .^**".  are  Robert  Lisle,  the  yeoman's  son,  who  tiiirenty  vc-is 
ago  inveigled  a  srniple  girl  into  a  sham  marriage,  who  absconded 
with  her  uncles  money  and  jeWels,  and  afterward  fled  to  Amei- 
ica  to  escape  transportation.     You  perceive  I  know  you  well" 
I  thought  so.     For  the  sham  marriage,  as  you  call  it,  it  is  a 
.    marriage  that  our  f.nglish  law  holds  binding.     Vou,  Sir  Vane 
Ihartens.  are  a  bjganiisit  with  intent.     Ohvia  Lisle  never,  for 
\^e  instant,  was  your   wife.     Vou  saw  n?e  in  church  on  the 
morning  of  that  mockery  of  marriage.     How  will  you  answer 
to  a  British  jury  for  thati     W-Tien  Olivia  discovered  i  was  alive, 
you  shut  her  uf)  m  a  mad-house  for  six  years— how  will  vou 
answer  a  ;ury  for /^/     As  to  the  other  absurd  charge  you 
speak  of.  1  was  a  fool— the  greatest  of  fools,  ever  to  let  ^ 
bugbear  alarm  me.    ^jSleith-r  you  no»  nor  Geofl^rey  Lyndith.  i^ 
Je  were  alive,  coi»ld  support  that  trumped-up  atcusatior       Foi 
tti«  rest,  1  have  worked  as  you  did,  in  the  dark-  1  have  found 
mjr  wife,  and  I  mean  to  keep  her.     The  Uw  snail  judge  be- 
tween us  of  the  legality  of  the-first  and  «^nd  marriages.     Vou 
are  free  to  act  *s^  you  please,  in  all  respects,  savTintnidini 
nere— yonder  is  the  door— go— and  never  dare  to  degrade  tS 
boose  by  your  presence  again,  unless  you  wish  me  to  take  the 
Uw  in  my  own  hands.     Did  you  ever  hear  oi  Judge  Lyruh, 
—aL-Vane?    I-xome  from  a  land  where  he  is  wdt  icnown      ff^~ 
fou  ever  cross  vonder  threahoid  again,  lU  strangle  you' at  I 
fould  a  snake  tbat  crawled  across  my  path.     Now  go  I " 


ir^l 


.'  « 


^ 


1 

I' 


s« 


\ 


"FAVLttlA  hf  AUet.« 


ft^J™"""  ^"'  ""»"™'?"  M.J  a  voice  -1,  Ihe  door** 

llo»    for  .h-  1^.        '  ^  '^'  Lot, ton  seaam  in  the  <oii.U( 

arolhng  by,  laking  his  usual  afteniMr.  exeriiss  he  l!aj  e  niii 

JlioS  m''".7'  '^'  ^*""'  ^"^1^°"**^  4  who  arc  yon  ?  " 
^^Sil:^T^Tc:''"''  V'-,^  *'  >«'4iV-'".  a,fd. disposed, 
vane  here  a    ttle  grudge,  and  am  inclined  to  wipe  it  off     Hav^ 
you^any  recollecuon  m  your  past  hfe  of  a  nu.!  ^  ^^Z 

witl^^nlTlirb?.?:''  'T'^'ll  »^--'l^'"-^.  «"'!  Sir  Vane  stoo^ 

dith-iUaJw;  wir;   '"""''  '''""  "«"'  10  Geoffrey  lyn 
\     I'emaps  mat  wUl  aid  vour  nienioi-y."  "* 

^  "o;srll:J;ife-:^-'- 
Uvidt,iS^''f;a  "^'H  r  '^'^^''"''  '"'•'^'•^  »»»*  baronet     Six  Vane. 
Uvid  with  fear  and  fury.  n.oveH  toward  the  doo,.-  ^ 

-    ^"b"^"  Vfl!.*'.^'^"  *"=*^'f'  f^  h.s^bdv.t4arJ  retentwr 


««t.c,ii4s.e  snau  answer  for  his-alx 
«f  my  wife.    ^.e/«aid.  tning  brava^io  ro  ,h 


Y 


/ 


\ 


\ 


"^^^^^^f^^^^^^ 


- } 


iooi  haii 


Y 


/ 


-JUCZINA 


#*■ 


UCM* 


]«'' 


•»  Th«  law  shall,"  Lisle  said  gravely.  **  I  tMtnk  j>ir  loid 
ihif  for  this  une!Kp<:cied  favor.  My  good  r<iine  should  k»v« 
been  <^eared  by  my  own  efforts  ;  but  the  confession  of  Porlct 
nnip.ihes  all  tl vat.     I  will  ca^l  this  evening  at  the  Priory" 

Lord  Montal'.cP  bowed,  and  turned  to  go. 

"  Perhaps  you  will  be  good  enough  to  mention  tliis  {act  to 
foiu  d'Augl.ter,"  he  said.  "  I  wished  to  make  her  my  wife  somf 
rears  ago,  and  I  am  afraid  she  has  never  fbrgiven  me  for-  it 
ihe  may  be  induced  to  think  sontewhat  less  harshly  "H  nM 
irhtn  she  learns  this.  May  1  also  ask  one  question— ^lid  My 
brother  return  with  you  ?  " 

"He  did."  -^, 

"  He  is  at  present  in  London  ?  " 

••  He  IS." 

"  A  successful  author — <iuite  &ble  to  meet  all  hJs  litd* 
liabilities  ''" 

Lisle  nodded — somewhat  impatiently.. 

"Thanks,"  L«)rd  Montaliep  said  ;  "I  l^all  not  detain  y^m 
any  longer.  Permit  me  to  congratulate  you  upm  the  recovery 
of  your  wife  and  dai^ghjter,  and  to  wish  you  every  happiness  in 
the  fiaiir<^"  '         -^  '       \ 

He  left  the  house.  The  smikr, faded' from  his  lips,  his  sallow 
worn  face  darkLm-d  and  grew  bitter  wi{h  hate  and  malignity. 

"  All  my  plotting  has  been  in  vain,  then,"  he  tJiought.  "Guy 
ft<t»returnetl— -the  past  wiped  out  antlr'«6argotten--llS^  famous, 
hands(."iicr  than  ever,  no  doubt.  And  sht  always.nl^d  him — 
'  always-  1  know  it,  and  wnll  marry  hun  now^  VViijr  4id  she  break 
.  off  with  I  \  safherlan«l  if  n^t  for  love  of  him  ?  .Apd  onp  day  this 
j^acc'jr-.e«l  heart-disease  w^lil  carry  me  off,  and  he  will  reign  in 
my  stead  at   M  jntahen." 

His  f.ice  was  black  with  impotent  hatred  and  rjge.*   All  had 
loner'aganst  him.     The  only  woman  he  had  evil  winted  tOk 
Stariy  had  n  fused  him — he  had  speculated  largely  and  invaria^ 
bi_v  lost.      Ill  health  had  overtaken  him — a4  ihaty-ihrec  he  wa* 
an    ">ld,  disappoinieil,  soured    man,     H»had  grown  nervoui 
w'lli    llness,  and    n  the  dark  dead  of  niAt.  the  white  lace  of 
A  lire  \Var;re/i  rost  to  haunt  hiiu  anddriwfef^pfron^ls  piiloir.  ^ 
She    lay  unburi^d  and    unavengeil,  bin  teihbutioit^aore  dire 
llian  any  an  earikly  tribunal  could  inffict  had  come  home  to  her, « 
niur<lerer 

Robert  Lisle  watched  his  Tctreaiing,  form   from  view,  fnd 


TReri  asceiutei?  ^he  siaurs.    tiis  will-  had  recovcrcil  from 
ifTOoa'^Und  lay^xdU)ic«»  «nd  tre^nbUng  on  y^ejjj^h  whfFf  ^M| 


Mj 


j:: 


f 

i 


M 


3;o 


'^■p^' 


-pr 


T.-  T 


«■ 


PAl/L/NA  TO  ALiCE.T 


f^e  here  again.     The  others'  rt^  .    T"''^  ^°f^^"  ^^^  ^^ 
stooped  and  kissed-  the  w. ^^^     as  he   entered.     PauLna 

severed  husband  and  m7ev?e^renfN    ^''^' ^'^'^  '^e  long- 
IVoceedincs  were  mZiH,.Tr^  together  Q,)ce  ,n  .re. 

rf  the  first,  tfeTn  al  Zir  he  ^e^rn"^  ^^  ?'^^^  ^^'  ''^'^^ 
tittle  difficuHy  ,n  dotnK  s^      Rnh    .  f  "*^  ."'amage.     There  ,r,  • 

oaunced  the  benediction  '['h?  '^  ?  Canterbury  ha.1  pro 
The  sui.and  .ts  re^.  Us  pro^Wed  T  '"^'T  -^«  ^ '^'ce. 
Every  day  new  and  mteestmJ  '  ,1?.^  l'n>fotmd.sf  sensatioa 
Lisle.  Now  the  n.ysterv  of  h,rt  k"' ''^'''f  "^'^  *^""'  ^'i«» 
»ras  «/,/an  on.lun   as  Sf  I        [  ^'"^"'as  cleared  up,      ^he 

mother's  side.Tleast  tr  d'ce^  '^^  ""''•"-'''  ^"^  on  tne 
Sir  Vane  ChaVteris  was  a  v.lhT.  I "^ u'  r^'^l'^<'*'^'>^'»hle.  And 
tot^  h..eir  ^T^:  :;.;:^:' ^i^^^^;     ;;^  to  the  Contu.e„.  ^ 

*t  ^':    ^t^ll^'l:^  extinct  <lown 

•  ^    •  Hves  sed  M     .1^.::'""^""?  ^^'h"  -Hi  ".other 


fteld  themselves  sed, 
society  down  in  soj 
bren  brought  up„ 
'^Ir.  Kariscoui;;l's  c. 
Irnnifdiately  the 


j|.  ,\  .  f  t  ■'^i.ici  iiKi  riujiner 

Ial7,n7"'  ^""^''^^".•b'  '"eiroi-olaa. 
¥age  m  I.incohishire,  where  she  had 

fpbtsT" "  ""-"'"^^ '-  -'>•  ^^ 

^   fad  d>.:arde7;he   n:,r^of  "S  f /''^'^  and  his  wife  rhe 

must  pass  of  |>..ace.  of^ctZe  of  hT"  """''.>'  ^''^^"'-r'-'l-ycars 
fully  herself  a^am  She  3'  "^^''l'»"r^«  ^^^^'re  she  b. .  au.e 
left  her  rde-s  L  flew  to  h^  ''".?"''  ^'^^^"^^''  ^^en  Robert 
turned.  Sh:'Le7in  conl^ant' d  T?  ^J'^  l-nn,g  w..n'he 
^e-  fror,  ^..„  aaain— ^^  .h      ?  !     ^^''  "^  something  tearina 

Pe<V  can  sS"  it  s^ntr  1^  ""''^T  ^^  "'''> -^-- 
^^on.  the  scene  of  her  rouble, Th.K  ^"^  'f'**^"  ^^"'^'1'  ^-aj 
fauhrja, .needed  change  in  'hos.  ^h  "  ^ \  ^^'  ^^'^ J"^"''  '^< 
had  gfo'.n-th.n  and  p'Je  as  a  shadow  Arh^''  ?^  ""^"«  ^^'^ 
a.  l.tt  h.r.  she  w.ntlc.red  s.len  .^1  A"  ^^^  "''*  Joyousness 
'*n»liar  haurts      I    .r  Ivi         .  '^  SFirUless  about   th»- old 

»er  ,n   wonder-it    wa       «   ithU"  P     ^'  '"  "^"  '"""^^^  ^ 
•icsrless   shadow-«-hose" .     !   1  *7;'^''  ''^'^'    ^•''^"f- 


(I 


i^^ 


** PAULINA   TO  AUCB^^ 


371 


»ork  in  press,  and  was  engaged  to  be  married,  so  eveiybo<h 
•aid  to  the  I.a<ly  Kdiih  CIivc.     '  '^'^lywiay 

Paiihna  turned  her  pale  face  fir  away  as  she  listened.     Mn. 
A tchcrly  rattled  on  : 

"  The  Lady  F.luh  makes  no  secret  of  her  preferenWand  he 
tec^rtamly  at  Danrar  House  perpetually.  But  do  yu^^ow 
Pauhna,  I  dont  beheve  Cu/s  a'b.t  m  love  with  h^lltete 
of  h.rbeau.7.  If  he  marnes  her  ^x\■■^\\  be  ^cftuse  ilrthe 
nchest  heiress  of  the  day  and  an  earl's  daughter.  1  soSmcf 
Sn7  .  '  ^\^^^'^^-  heart  behind  him  i'n  America.  ^Z 
Jose  love  y  Amencan  women  he  talks  of  so  much  He  say? 
Amencan  lad.es  are  all  pretty-absolutely  without  exception- 

swan^  ^''iT  *^     '.V''''  ^'T'^  "1  ^T  ^""'^  '^  ^^  '^'^  *«  «  black 
certam  next  spnng. 

Arid  then  Mrs.  Atcherjy  departed  ;  and  I  ereatlv  doubt 
whether  Mtss  Lisle's  healtfi  or  sp.nts  ^ere  at  alfln'rovS  b 
he  hvely  conversatton  She  longe.l  with  fevensh,  h  dden  im'- 
patience  or  the  day  of  their  departure  to  come.  When  En^- 
land  was  left  far  behmd  she  would  be  better,  she  thought.  A 
feve-  flu.h  came  into  her  cheeks  sometimes,  her  lips  looked 
dry  and  ,,arcb.ed-her  glorious  dower  of  perfect  healtn,  that  for 
four-and-twenty  years  had  never  failed  her,  was  rapidly  failing 
her  now.  hey  s,K>ke  of  physicians,  and  she  lau^ghed  at  them 
-she  would  be  quite  well  again,  she  said,  when  they  stai  ted  on 

The   last    day  came.     Everything  was  settled— ^fr.  Lisle"! 

perpetual  flying  up  and  down  by  express  trains,  between  Lon- 

2on  and  Lmcolnshire,  was  a^  an  end.     His  legal  business  was 

.jansfactonly  over.     On  to-morrow  morning  tLy  would  sr^ 

^  hrcct  for  Pans,  making  no  delay  in  London.  / 

A  gentleman  accompanied  Mr.  Lisle  from  town  on  this  Ust 

^^ToToi  h'.:tr"' "'°' ''  '^^  ^^p^^"^  '^^""^  ^"^  - 

"  Where  is  Paulina  !  "  her  father  asked. 

Paol.na  was  out  as  usual  on  one  of  her  dafly,  aimless  .«». 
9les  It  was  a  nurky  son  of  day.  with  a  light,  damp  fog  clinK- 
mg  to  ever)th:ng-a<lark,  gray  sky.  lying  ufw  over  a  ble!k.  ^f, 
Srrik/L'^^u"'!  '*''^'''"  ^"'  ^"y  ""'^  '"  ^«'>^*t^  health  to  £. 


i      •^*''',^^''»K'^''"^y  evening-it  seemed  Somri.ow.  like  ha 
cold,  gray  lUr     The  last,  h.igonng  shadow,  of  tt^  dark  di^ 


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**fAULmA    TO  Al^CE.* 


.«we  departing  as  she  came  slowlv  homeward  In  K«-»  y 
mind,  heart  and  bram,  she  was  tir^.'j  V.?,  I  ^  "  "^^J  *^^ 
fi»ce  paler  rhan  usual  her  b  "  '  ""^^  ^'""^  "'^^f-  her 

man-;  tall  ,  gureT;^ied    jh  l  7"  ''^«^'*''  *'»'  ''^^"''"-     ^ 

seemed   to  cease"tV  btn  g^  u'^nr'  N^^-ne'  r'   .'^^ 
hnce  to  recogn.ze  (it.y  Farls?ourt  ^  °  ''"^  '^^  '-^ 

"e  ^|v  her  and  o,)cncd  the  gate.     Without  hft.V^  K 
to  his  fare,  wihout    sptakmi.    ,h^  kI      •        '  "'^«  h^r  CT" 
passed  Cn.  but  he  stopped  h^?'  ^°*'^^  *"^  *°"^  hav, 

"  and  ^;  r^:tk  '^^::::^  ■-  ^ «-  t^  o^-p-«„ 

eight  years  a.-o  ^-hen  L  »      1^      ^^  '"*'*^'-      '*"^  '^e  sake  of 
D*  hate  meX  ^^.i-oyi""'  '^^"^'  ^^en  lutle  .Polly  •  dtd 

conl^eX'j^Ltd'rp'o.  c?[„t^^?  T^^^  her-shestop,.d 
half  turned  aSay         ^  '"'"  "^^  ^'''  reproachful  iyes, 

kn^Toe'fore,  that  tl^T^'t  ^'^  i!"^'''  «  ^^'  ^^^  -- 
•ov.  that  wuuM  remt  Th^he';  ^  i::^  .ffirrr"'  ''"""^^' 

-^r:^  ;r::;;t:r-  ^^--^^-'overthem 

averted  face.    *  t^rn'-his  c>ra  were  reading  her  pale, 

tered'^^"-^^"  '^"  ^°  "^  ^^r-weD  to  my  mother."  she  fal- 

i.  io^the'Ln.r"'r- '  ;:r  n"  ^°"  -•  "'^>'  ^  --  ^  >« 

forever."  '  ^°°'  **^*^«  '''•'gland  in  a  few  days  and 

pasf-myhfe      AsQonnoc  ?     **"'  quietly,  "and  there 

Will  be  abroad  then^^H  ?  '"^  m  *  ^'""^  'P'^'"*"'  '  '-^-«      Vou 

;♦  Forgive  you  I     For  what?" 
ror  letting  you  sacnhce  your  life"  F^  .o,M  fit... 
r*"  »«"-^     1  see;  clearly  now   thL      '.h„     .  ^"^^  '^""'>''      «' 
but  not  in  that  wiv      v  ""°"'^  have  saved  yon 

by  their  ,:irslc.S  th!  f"  "'7  '"^*^  ''^"^  night-dn.en  wild 

f  h  *>aiic.r'Ci>  lay^'s^trxr^"'  *" ' '  '"'-^^^ 

what  you  were  loii  a   but  i  L?  Tou-you  s-arcely  knew 

/   ^  "••"  "**^  y«»*^  lor  Uking  advantage  ol  y^D 


l#*^ 


P 
h( 

ai 

h 
u 

ar 
ro 
d( 

hi 

« I 


J   I'-ht.'iikM.flsfe;, 


n  bo«!j  and 
<v  near-  her 
sunken.  A 
[ale  •  oits  u 
'.  and  fhen 
ed  to  Ijok 

rg  h^T  cyci 
vould  hjivt 

)freproacl», 
he  sakf  of 
'  Polly  ■  did 

he  stopped 
:hful  eyes, 

had  never 
,  de^athless 

over  them 
her  pale, 

"  she  fal 

not  ?     li 
days  and 

to  chitch 
surnnse  i 

nd  there 
■e.  You 
gixnl^Ly, 


*'ed  yon, 
^en  wild 
iiarnage 
Iv  knew 


ot  ywo 


^'fAOUNArTO  AUCB.K  „, 

3/1 

yo  from  hngland-my  presence  here  shall  be  no  hk,,^  rJ 
your  ret,irn.  l^areweH,  once  n,ore,  and  try  to  lor^Z  U 
you  can  when  1  am  gone."  "  ^^y  to  lorgive  me  if 

Ae^Ut'tn'fan'of  ht  f":^.  "^^  «'*!  °P"  *"^  ^»>«»  ^^^"^ 

gtne"ltevtl  "^^"^  ^^  ^°"^«  windotj^'nd'r/ .'S 

-c^metT'L*"''  '"''^l'''  "°'"  ""^^  ^^^'n   the  doorway 
amie  in  I     Do  you  not  know  it  israininir  ? "  ' 

^he  was  standing  where  Ouy  had  left  her.  motionless.     ^ 

•upport.     Ihc  next  moment  her  faLhcr-.  strong  arm  encifcM 

"  Vou  will  get  your  death,"  he  said  :  "  you  look  lik..  H*,.k 
now.     Did  you  see  Karlscourt  ?»  ^  *  *^*^** 

"  He\«"gone  "  "''''^  '^"'''''^  ''"^^'^  *"^  ^^^^'^  ^o™  l*''  «P» 

Her  step  grew  hrin ;  she  entered  the  house,  and  no,  e  orr^ni 
saw  anythmg  n.ore  than  usual  m  herJpok  *^  ^°* 

lea  »as  ready— Rosanna's  be«  <»eaiii-cakes.  and  fn..t  ™-. 
and  whjest  rolls,  in  honor  of  th/occasio^^S  they  «^^^^^ 
n^und  die  bnght  httle  lamp-lit  ubie.  a  loud  knik  Slife  t '^ 

kstv^'Jt"; ••''"'"  ""^  '^^'-  " '  ^-^f'*  w-  c-y -a-  - 

»  .n,!i°'^"*^  ^^^^  ^"^'^  *"^  '*''  »  middle-aced.  sailor-lute  muL 
*  lota'  stranger,  standing  there  in  the  ram.  »»«»  ^«  niM, 

^^Does  Mm  Paulina  Lisle  live  here?"  -k^  jhi,  ^^ 
Ihike  nodded. 


Fajdina  hearc^  and  approachrd  the  duor,  UxAiw  *  to#  aea 


iitictK'^A^Si^^Krit.- 


?i;' ! 


}H 


*PAmjfiA   TO  MJCMJ 


I    "Ycm  wart  me?"  she  inquirrd  ^' 

•en,  missing.     You  Sii Vr    '  T'  *^"*  *  ^'^''  Alice  Ww 
kcr,  dead  o?  alive?^  ^"'^  *  '^"'^^  >°"  "^ci'^'^ct,  for  news  S 

She  gAve  a  low  ciy,  reached  out,  and  drew  tfa.  ,«1a     • 
"Come  this  way  J"    she   cri».H      "  i  ?    'P?*^' '°- 

*ho  advertised,  a/d      am  stSr  rekdv  ti  T  "^l  ^'^^''"^  ^^^* 
•M  1  shall  hear  of  Alic^^  ^   °  ^'"^  '^'^  ''^"'^^d-     At 

"  IWi-..    I  "ciijcii  oreatniess,  expectant 

"  ilurji,.J  / "     ck       L    ''  ^'-^'.ed  back. 

«  yZt^i.  ^^.  ^^'■^^  '^«0">  ".h  «h«,  Up,. 

-oo,e„,,  pr„.,„e  JS,™t    C  ^ier.'li.'f'"  "'"'i^'"*  " 
ta  many  p,p<:rs.     j,,  ardW  thLl^     ,    '""'  P"«l  rolltd 

It  was  aWet  an'  rha|„      Shl  If  "*''  "  '»  ''"■ 

"cognized  h  a.  once      I,' h^  U„'"i,''  '*'''"''  ''"'"'■'  >'« 
we  her  de,«r,u,e  for  thLJ^Jk      u     .'"""^  «""  '"Alice 

•f  h"  8-W=.  ha,r.  anH-llK  «  e'^Hde'Th;  '""  ""<"« 
J-autina  u  /»,V<— ,a6o "'  ''"rse  side  this  uiscnp.ion  ■ 

I .^X'r '^'i.n'irv'e'a'r'.?'  "''-^  "^« 

OWltma.  eve.    On  ChS.as  e^^'/g'^  Z°"  """  """ 

"^••rhS^:; :EV  »--  ^o, . ^ 

•Kly  reveal  them  now  ""^  '"  *"  ''"^  i""  »  «  yoo 

.  cZr'&oJ  fu«T"£',h™rbr '  ~«'"  'o '»'"™'»« 

•Kd  once  befort.  ourS  ffi    T'  ^   ' ''?"  "^  '  «"•  'o  wl 


iw  ■wTSr'r".  *"  ^»^"i'"da,  I  fot  into  ^  Wram^  b  rfiS 
-iPM-»«^tl».,wiqr,  «d nearly  got*  Ugged  lo^^Sd^ 


*PAULrM4  tC  AUCM, 


t% 


fcai  bow. 
ai  Msle  wfui 
5  Alice  W«r 
for  news  of 

-.     a. 
.  -   '^' 

»|Sier  in. 
lulma  Lille 
cwai-A     Al 

aced  a  chair 

"She  was 
•f  her  since 

"dered/" 

en  lips, 
^nibling  a 
ircel  rolled 
one,   anc 
J  it  to  her. 
"f  cry ;  she 
't  to  Alice 
irhed    the 
i  a  ringlet 
scripiion  • 

L  "Yes 
ars  come 
g  woman 
ixly  lies  a 

»r  a  a>o- 

;ed  to  sit 

dreadful 
is  it  yea 

ve>4nade 
t  to  sea, 

lunUr  r 


i7^ 


?f^  ^^  ^  "^^r*  ''"°''  ^'^^  ^'*^  have  told  now.  but  it  kind 
of  haunted  me  hke,  and  gaveine  no  rest ;  so  fo:  the  pj,  twc 
momhs  vcbeen  a-trying  to  fifnd  .you  out.  A  precious  deiU 
^  trouWe  ,es  been,  1  can  tei|  yoS:  This  here's  the  way  ( 
came  by  that  locket."  ~  " 

»hd  stlll!^'"  "^^  '*^°'  *°^^  WsVeiy.  Paulina  listening  white 

••  \fy  name's  Bill  Saunders,  nifss,  which  I  was  christerc*' 

W'lUam  Jarnes,  and  I  follows  the  ^a  for  a  livin',  as  vou  mlv 

jce  for  yourself     I'd  been  away  on'a  r«r.  voyage  and  w^^ 

^fot  home  1  started  from  Liverpool  to  see  liyVld  moTh« 

Uvm    at  that  time  at  Hattersea-way.     I  stayed  with  the  old 

woman  nigh  upon  seven  weeks,  coming  up  to  London  off  and 

'  °?'„f  ?    'i^"'"f  f  "*''"  Christmas  week  to  sail  for  China  iM  the 

(tolden  Pagoda,' on  a  three  years' cruise.  The 'Golden  Pai^oda* 

Sh?f  H  ^"7  '^'J^^^^'^  ^bo"t  noon,  Christn.as  ev^  and 

2V     K?''^: '"  /^  "'°'"'"«'  *  «'""«  "'y  tjundle  ove    my 

Undin'  '"°'^'''  good-^,  and  started  afoot  ifo 

"It  was  a  tamal  stormy  morning,  miss,  axin'  your  pardon 

S  .  /  old  Kngland.  1  was  used  to  snow-storms  though, 
ind  trudged  along  never  mmdin',  though  along  the  waste  fields 
ind  marshes,  arid  old  brick-yards,  it  blew  fit  to  take  your  heaS 

»1.3  1  T  '  '^^  '°''  "^  "'"•■"'"'  "^^  ^he  time  of  day  you 
H^oulu  look  to  see  any  one  out  a-drivin',  and  so  when  I  see  a 
ttorse  and  wagon  a-comin'  furious  in  the  other  direction,  I  stood 

ind  looked  hard  to  see  what  the  parties  was  like 

.hai  111  ^^  *  "^^  ^r^^  *  woman-I  could  jiist  make  out 

.nii  ii/H^i  Tf  •  .^i*"  r*^  *°  ."'"^'^^  "P  a-^  SO  *hite  with 
mo#.  While  1  looked,  the  wagon  stopped  sudden  like,  the 
•unju...ped  out  and  helped  the  woman  after.     This  w«  m 

Mom""'''*'  "°^  ''*^'*'''*  '''  '"**  *  P^*"*  *°**  "»  »»»'^  • 

"  •  Something  wrong  with  the  turnout,'  I  says  to  myseUjfey 
keeps  well  out  o'  sight  and  waits  to  see.  The  man  lookSKfl 
about,  and  then  takes  the  woman  round  an  old  pile  o'  brokPB 
bncks  that  hia  them  from  sight.     A  minute  after-it  coukJ  not 

:=^^»-*ot  sartifr  what  L  h^su^cted  when  the  mar  firsf  tor    " 

?  f  JSi  .        P'*''  ''**  «°'"8  °"'  *"<!  -*»»»  i'd  Detter  keep  idl 
B  •  «da  t  want  a  second  pistol  ball  through  my  own  A^ulf 


..» 


m 


m 


*'^AaLlNA    TO  AkJCM» 


r^"'<^lti"r\inr""^^^";  I  pulled  out  rtii 
for  the  ,a.!in-  of  th6  'r/o"len  kl " dx'  w"^  '  "^  '^^  '^ 
•"•nutcs  o-  „in^.     |  can  swear  mh  '"^"'^^^'^  J"«'  ^'••^"tt 

gocj  one  to  keep  tin.e  "  he  il     i,  i      ''^'l  """"'^'  ^^^  *^'«  s  T 
««y  cove  a-connn- round  the  heap C  \Z.  '^'  7'*^'  ^^^^'  ^  "« 
^k  m  every  direction.    If  ?  kT.n  0^^^'^  ^^k'  '^'""^  "  ^^"-^ 
be  sartm  I  was  inwisable  now '  ' //  ,   \  ''f^'  t^°'^'  y*"  ««*} 
)U"'l'*^d  into  his  trap,  and  dVove  1'"^/'  ^''  ""^''^  'h" 

»"!!^ '--"-. -i-)-s  :cikE  ^::^*^  '^  "'^  ^'^  ;«vii, 

bncK,  and  stones,  and  w^^.l  ^  v         ^"u'^"^^  ^  '^'"P  o'  I^S 
o-  tunes,  and  ney;r  tal:  notice ^^T^'r^'  '""  ''''  ^  --" 

m  rnind  to  say  noihm'  of  Xt^d  h       r'""^."''  *"^  '""^'^"P 
Bcnnuda,  as  I  said  afore  7  n      1         ''''^  *"^  s*^'^"-     O.u  in 

accused  .f  a  murdir  i  did  't  do '"  Tu'^i  '"^  "^'^'  g<^"-S 
dreads  the  fire— it  was  no  k  A  -burned  child,  ihev  sav 

«  the  .  C.olden  F  JocU^^^r'"T  °  "'/"^^ '  ^  "odd   usV'     o^9 

.  fiicnds  and  the  Ko^"o^po     :ti'h'e';'a^V'%^''  ''"^  -^-"» 
.  "i  was  turning  to  go  avW     i,  ^^''"  leisare,^^ 

t»ne  to  spare-.i„  soa.ettn'"^'  Cn"'""."^'  ^"^^d  no 
<^>:c.     I  stooped  and  picked"t  uu       ?  '"  "^f'^"^  caught  ,u, 
niJss.  lK,nt  a  httle,  as  vou  see   wTere  i  T,  !^^'  '^"'^  '«k^» 
jnd  ,he  httle  chain  broke  off  sW   as  -f  t^  .  T".  ^^"'"''^^  «ni 
from  her  neck.     J  .-,ut  it  m  r,f  ■     '^  "  ^'^^  ^et.n  dragaed 

London.     That  ^lern^i  Sie    r!7f '^,""^  ^*'"l'-d  aJSfto 

»  her,  and  iVe  nevcTset  f^ot  'n '^"J  ^^'^ '  ^'^^  ^<1  •- 
weeks  a«o.  ''V'""'  ^"  i.nj»land  since,  untU  three 

*j<  there  ,„„„^  ^„„„^„  ™^-  ,j"„",^-™;^h  „„  deck  ./  „,gh,. 


•' 


«-)^. 


**PAUl/ffA   TO  ALICE:* 


'ight  be  lite 
I  just  twf?nt7 
.  for  she  s  » 
back,  I  sees 
ng  a  secciu- 
^f.  you  rnij 
wat<  h,  thci 
Nitk  ; savin 

hen  f  rnadi 
>fhole,  Uke 
.  when  thfli 
n  dragged 
pp  p'  loose 
i^ot  scores 

ad  dragged 
doHTi  ii«r 

f  ,i<heasily 
:)be  1  did 
i  niacJe  up 
Out  in 
"e,  getting 
Uiey  say 
US'  go  o9 
wouiaii'i 


i;7 


Wad 


lad  no 
"•ght  iiij 
■  Itxlttt, 
M>ed  on^ 
dragged 
away  to 
and  ine 
til  three 

e  morn- 
»'  night* 
I  couJd 


SS^IeltOry^     ^^     "^  '"^'  *  ''^*"  '^'^^^^^  °^  "'  '"^  ^««S5 
»-J^irfu-  f.''"g  '"  *  coffee-house  in  Liverpool  the  niehl  I 

rPrn^l        r  ^^  '''""^^^  f'*^'*^''  ^'^  y^»"  «J«^  an'l  there,  a. 
f  Prjv^dence  had  ,>ut  u  in  my  way.  the  very  first  th.r.g  n^  w^ 

rrws  of  o^e'iV'v?'^'"^'"^"""^  "'^^"'^K  *  ^eward^or' InJ 

Thad    o       ?  ""'i"^  ^'""^"  '"^  *"  ^''«  '«"•     That  ^as^ 
had  to  go  by.     Any  news  wa,  <,  \^  br(,„ght  to  a  law-f,r.„   n 

SsemenL^    r  /     V"^  "'  '^."  '^"  '"?'•      ^  «''"^-J  '«^"'  that  a<iver 
isemenL      I  axed  e:n  who  put  it  ih.     They  couldn't  jjiveinea 

pU-nanswcr-ihey  badgered  and   bothered.  anirsauU  was  tp 

client  of  theirs,  a  young  lady,   M.ss   Paulina     .isle.      V\hen  I 
heard    hat  naine,  ^  Pau/.n^,'  I   knew  I  was  on  the  right    rack 
I  axe.1  •e...  ,f  th^j^d  ever  found  thi.  here  Alice  Warren    and  they 

d"y  t^Vhis'^'ThJ?'.  r7f  "T  ^''''  "^  ''^^  "^  herVro'infhS  ^ 
I'sle  thl;  ,.  ^•*"  V^"'''  '^^'"  '  ^^nted  to  see  M.ss  Paulin- 
.T  '  I  .  .  «»'"^>h'ng  to  say  to  her  about  this  here  business 
she  might  like  to  kndw  ;  and  at  la.:,  after  a  deal  o'  fulin  the^ 
pave  n.e  the  direct.ori^  here.  Here  1  came  ;  and  ih.re  „u2 
|sd,e  whole  story.  A^ice  U  arren  was  murdered  ori  C^S 
CVS.  .862,  ami  her  bohes  lies  a-moldenn'  to  this  day,  for  wha 
I  km  w.  m  that  hole  on  Baitersea  Common."'  ^ 

i«  I  Jn'";''?  *'*'*  r""^*'1  ^'^  ''"^y-     *"*"''"*  sat  perfectly  r.-nd, 

"  A nH    .K  '^'''  •"'?"^  '°  '^^''^^  ^°^^       She  spoke  HOW  f  ^ 

^^  And  the  man  who  inur.lercd  hcr-tell  me  what  he  wai 
"I  di.ln't  sec  his  face,  miss  ;  he  waa  that  muffled  up  with 

he  a'.^!,r    *"  *  '•J"*^*;  »°°''V:i?  e^«^'-<^o^^  »nd  i  took  Inm  to 
.rr.  i?  I     1   i?'  *"[^  "*""  *  gentleman."     Paahna's  ihougnu 

Wly.    ^t  ggeply    strongly  at^4^  «»  t^jij,  sub^^t,  dif  ~ 
•«  :uo  just  to  make  ar.y  nw^,  Jccusatiun.  in  .o  .upreS  u 


1^ 
m 
m 


J7« 


"  rAVUKA   TOAUCK.' 


bving  Aljce  ,-J,d  'Z  six    Sg'':^^^^?'*'''^^-!"-? 

Moi.ce!"  ""■yiohm    Someihing  must  be  done,  u3 

fctS^Tcf  u'k^  ""'''«™"'  *»'.  «<)  .u^oK^ed  boU.  U 
^IV™.  „en  looked  «  her  in  .1,™_^,  fc„  .^,^  ^^  , 

Kendis-"     ""^  •»»  f""  mM   been  telling  ,ou>'  YoiS 

pnS':S'„tv:;-;^7/''' -^-4  si,  .ear,  >ro-.y.n, 

repeat  to  you  wlut  teSas  saki  »  m,    ,."■;     ^'"'^  "'^"  "" 
homble  niunler."        "  T  »■«  to  me— the  homble  story  of  ■ 

Jlownl     Remember  you  ",aT."x,„°' P"^'  sake,  go  and  In 

|«t  now  you  a|„«arU,e XeS'fo"  a  ST"/^"'"™"''  ^""^ 

■  '^.'f     'j°  i"  '"V'  -"Other,  Pafli  *''■''"'  •*"  »  '^"gthy 

dulV  heavy  ,,ain  tL'hW  in  ffieZTerher*!^"  H^"!. '"  '  ^ 
encircled  «nth  in  iron  banil  •  =  k,!;  '  j^  "  forehead  seemed 
Itad  never  been  ill  i^heM  e  A^^  sZ'i'" """^  k^'  ='"•     ^ 

»^^'^.^e'it^*=  -  i«-te?":§  KoX-aSd'r. 

w:"i^-th"^r -J  "r  s^e'"  -^ ""  '^  ■^' 

l"s  "tor,-,  alnwst  word  for  worj  arh.  k    i    T?  K"'"'  "l-eatW 
,.  r>uke  listened,  turnip  cold  ^>h  ^'  '"'''."  '"  ''''"«''»• 
tole,  pretty  Alicil     ^L    .,       '"  <"''■  "'••J  honor.     Pon, 
"d  th^  haS  tie"  hert,""' '  ^  ^enUe  1-beloved  by  aS*^' 

Lil'«^"  "\'„'l;'l,r""  '^'■""  *'  I«'i«  a,  once"  Mr 
«a.<.a„d  repe,^  ;„:"«„rrr^  T  '°  '""^  'o-monow,  mi 
•ost  foul  m.rder Lb-^rdo^j":"  ■*'  ""T"  »>=">orit,e,     2 

-•—He  wu  .t„ppu^  o,^    -^  J^JZ  ^,'''  1?^ 


<»c^H.,~.  ..""'"  •""  '^eaduiMi.aiid  aok  hi-H_S.l= 
«-^  "-  «""<»»«  over  «gi„  ^Hi.  rf  S^u^  tT 


h 


r 
i 
t 

i 

I 
h 

0 

« 

1 

« 


Vv  ,..;•.. 


NnfbL  She 
redM-^enUe 
inbiiried  and 
xi  up,  and  it 

there.    \Y«| 
t>e  done,  goA 

>ed  both  hei 

fully  corpse-  \ 

aimid  Rob 
ou  ?  ■   Youi 

ago — lying 
s  man  wilj 
:  story  of  a 

ught  child 

go  and  lie 

orroHT,  and 

a  lengthy 

r  frpm  the 
e  ill  ?  A 
id  seemr^ 
yes.  she 
no»  / 
^  jLsd  re 

i^  chat  the 
repeated 

lUliiiL 

'•  Poor, 
)y  all  !— 

:e,"  Mr. 
TOW,  my 
ties.    A 

0  light"* 
'^tepitit^ 

1  in  the 


**fAULivA   TO  Mk.rCM." 


m 


Mr.   Lisle  the  ftr«t  thing  in  th^ 


te«rn,  and  woold  wait  upon 
morning. 

"This  is  a  most  shocking  thing,  MasoA"  he  said ;  "and  ia 
Paulina's  present  state  of  health  there  yk  no  telhng  what  effeci 
the  new*  aiay  have  upon  her.  She  seems  to  have  been  ven 
itfongly  attached  fo  this  unfortunate  Alice  Warren." 

•«  Veiy  strongly,"  Duke  answered,/ moved  himself  morp  thati 
<»e  cared  to  snow.     "It  is  her  nature  to  love  with  her  wfcaU' 
•cart  thoa*  whom  she  docs  love— And  they  wsrs  like  sisters 
Poor  htMs  Alice!"  '^.. 

•*  Who  was  the  man  with  whoa  she  elopedK.Was  it  never 
mown?"  4         ^ 

"  Never  for  certain."  / 

"Itwaa  suspected?" 

"  It  was." 

"Who  was  the  mar?" 

Duke  hesitated.     It  had  always  been  a  story  he  had  shrunk 
a  cm — now  more  than  ever. 

•  Who  was  the  manwith  whom  she  fled  ?  "  Lisle  repeated. 
'     "The  .nan  to  whom  she  fled  I  don't  know.     The  man  wUh 
whom  She  left  Speckhaven  was— Guy  Earlscourt." 

"  I  can  I  neip  it,"  Duke  said,  do^edly.     "  Every  one  here 

k'^^i^V^^"^''^^*^*^'^^*^''"' ^"'^  travelled  up  to  London 
with  Mr.  Guy  ;  ana  most  people  believe  hirn  guilty.  J  don't 
—1  never  did— no  luoie  does  Matll^w  Warren  or  Paulina." 

"  Will  you  tell  me  ail  about  it,  \^as^^'  Lisle  said,  gravely. 
He  was  beginning  to  foic*ee  the  trfiutim.store  for  the  youii 
man  he  liked  so  strongiy.  '  **  v      -e 

They  sat  together  for^over  an  . ,  ^ 

•elf  to  simple  facts,  told  ah  nc  kZew— the  ietUr  Paulina  had 
received,  the  tiight  in  company  mJIi  6uy  the  succeeding  even- 
log --of  the  revelation  of  Guy  u'   ""     '  -     r      o     .  . 
ihe  had  lepeated  to  Duke.     Lrsi 
More  grave. 

"  Earlscourt  is  not  the  man," ,  ^^^.^       .        ^..^  „ 

Mioply  incapable  of  luring  any  girl  delibciately  to  h*  ruin, 
however  many  aiid  great  his  faults  of  the  pasu  For  the  chatve 
M  murder,  m  connection  with  h|m,  it  is  of  course  utterly  mon- 
strous. But  hiB  leaving  the  plaice,  and  accompli.)  ing  the  girl 
to  London  niaypi^e  him  inj^iery  disagreeable  po^iion,  un^ 
»e  cnminal  is  foond.  Were  nbne  of  the  other  men  stopnni 
«t  the  Pruxy  sus|«cted  at  the  i^e i" 


lour.     Duke,  conAning  hira 
lew— the  ietfir  Paulina  had 
li  Guy.  the  succeeding  even- 
Paulina  at  Brighton,  whid« 
listened,  growing  more  ajui 

le  said,  decidedly.     "  Gny  it 


\ 


'*. 


S«o 


'^^AUUNA    TO  AUCAJ> 


M 


None.       Thi^  is  "-Dale* 


.en   Diu  faui.n.'-   ''""^^«'-"  Paulina  snspectec 

^m.      He  .nay  have  a.hn"ed   AhS   a^hJv  all'n'rL  **^'*"'' 
was  the  only  one  amona  tu  t'  *\ '"'T  *"  fi"«' ;  but  (lui 

^r  flight,     h  T  a     of  ,       ."  "^'^  '"^"'"  ''^"l''^  conntctei 
80  long,  had  kept  i,  foreler-  •         '"«  ^""^^  ^''  confcssi«B 

^-'ha^:t;'  :^':;ourri  :r^^'^'  ''-^^  '-^^''  -•  »« 

^  out  or  her  s.ght  *      ^'^  *'"'*'  *"'*"'  ^'  ^"sbanj 

l«k  to  the  |,a,l'r  ''"'  '""''=  ^'""^  '"""wing  he, 

wrC'i';;'s,;\'hS.''"^  'we.-h,s..e  „a 

her  nX'^k^n^o'cr  ""  """="•     ''''"'  ™  ""  -pons.  ,„ 
^ptJZ^j!  '^l^r "  ^""  "■"  "'  "■•  '"  >  "  »-  Lisle 

brougl„The'l;lL  tlreT^o  hT-i;r"lT™''-  *"'''"^''  "^•"' 
Lisle's  strong  hands  had  forced  he  d<w,  '"^k"'""'"  "l''^" 
I'm!)  burned  uijon  the  tahle  a„,l  l".  r  ^bey  ^nierr,!,  ;h< 

cvrdendy  fallei,  half^^'^  ;  '^^  lid"T  ''""^  "  ^'"  '*' 
their  entrance.  "•      ^^«  nevcf  Hirred  «• 

The  last  shock  hald  Sed  thl  woT^n.  '?  f*^^  *"^  ^^'^ 
appaniion  weeks  before  had  becnTn  M'J^  t^lscourfs  ^uddea 
^y     Before  moinmrbroke  p^,^~^,'^?' *"^  '^^*'"  had  giv« 


1 

ai 

n 

— 

li] 

■ 

'•*■ 

1     ^,„ "' 

' 

[" ■ \ "" 

V 

"►- 

" 

ggg-ggU 

^ ^..,^„^^^ 

J    .  ^i 

,/*V,;v,, 

iL 

,     .•#      ■     .:^'.-.,.     .^ 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^1 

^^^^^^^^^^^|H|| 

HHIHB 

',                                   -'-^ 

a  siispectee 

rcely  unpre 

e  else  evi»i 

oof  agatfirf 

I ;  but  (]uj 

conntrtw 

affair  alto 

cunfcssiun 

'1  in.     Het 
:r  husbanj 

esaw  him. 
at  strange 
lina  so?  " 
owing  her 

sanna  nor 
Icli  alone. 

wife  and 

ther  sa^d, 

ponse  to 

frs.  Lisie 

?a''  calli 

?rr(l,  :ht 
she  hw! 
irred  a'    . 


she  wai 
>  blind 
suddea 
fi  given 
ax  th^ 


,«#«•</ 


I. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

"FOR  A   woman's   SAKl." 

<^">R  the  first  time  in  her  fotir-an;l-twenty  years  of  life.* 

laulina  lay  ill— ill  „nt<>  ,lfaih.  The  airy,- ui.pci 
li-imbcr  in  which  little  Polly  Mason  hao  slent  hei 
hrirf,  hnjiht  life  aw.ly.  was  silent  ami  .larkened  now- 
^  ereat  I.on,l„n  physinan  h.id  heen  telegraphed  for,  andcime; 
«M*  Kosinna  gn„,  an.l  j,'ray.in  ihe  green  du.k,,  took  her  place 
by  the  l)e(lsi(le  of  her  MiirNJing.  -*  »  «  *^ 

lJ^  I'f"",  *?"*'"."  :''"'^>^  l«"ke(l  porteritons,  and  shook  hit 
,|.ea,l  Unshed,  an.!  clol«-i.,us.  and  restless.  I'ai.lina  lay.  talkina 
ln(oh-rently-<,r  K.ssing  in  h.M,  nnrefreshing  slee,»-very,  Ver? 
Ul.     OfoHirseall  further  thought  i^i  departure  was  at  an  end 

-.who  was  to  tell  that  I'auhna  Lisle's  hr^t  jo-^ney^,ght.no." 
De  t  J  ti.e  ton;!;  ?     >  .  \  ° 

Andthegnefoffhe  faithful  hearts,  who  loved  her  so  devot 
ed  >-whu  shall  paint  that  f  They  had  to  banish  her  mothei 
by  force  from  the  sick  r.,on.-her  selfcomman.l  had  all  rone 
m  those  long,  miserable  years  of  asylum-life,  and  her  uncon- 
.  t.ollal).e  sohhinj.  nlle.l.the  plact?^she  was  utterly  helpless  and 
useless  it  needed  but  one  word  fryni  the  husband  to  uiake 
tier  yield. 

/•  Vou  distress  Rosanna— you  may  disturb  Paulina-iyou  wiU 
iniure  yourself— con,c,  Olivia."  ^         '  , 

He    was   haggard   and    pale  hmiself-his  very  life  ^'seemed  ' 
T"        M"."i  '"  ""^  flew  found  wife  and  child— that  d<ralh  or  ' 
1  M"  fi     .     approach  either,  he  had    not  dreamed.     And 
ieath    ahd   <langer  *^ere    here.     But  his  hfe's  tra.nmg  never 

Sile^'^wS  '^'^  ^°'^  '"'*^  "'  ^'^  ''''''  Pain-theluser. 

««1?^°"  f"*^  ^  '".I'  ^°."P  *°  *"'^"'  Mason,"  be  said,  "by  the 
ttoonday  train.     Duty  before  all  other  things.     If  I'aulina,"  he 

Si",f^  xL  '^.^f''''^^^"^^'^  with  us,  she  would  listen  to  no 
e«Uy.      1  he  information  you  can  give  may  be  needed.     Yo. 
mil  accompany  me  and  this  man  Saunders." 
-  "^  J!!i''.^°.  *'*!*'«^^'^'"  you  mirk  for   the  best,  Mr.  Liile.' 
m^il^rirw'  "  "''  reluctance  wa.  waiWe ;  "  but  i  A»^ 
u*e-Ai  40mf/  hke  repeating  ttus  itory.     It  pl«CM  Mr.  Goy  iq  p    ^ 


V- 


*it)J  -^j 


'■"« 


Wic  position,  maVeshira  appear  imiltv'anH  h..  lo  «  «       -  ^ 
of  any  wroo^.  aga.nst  poor  ^Lcc  a^l  ir..  "  "i?:  l' ^o^l'tT. 
t  «ron^-."uch  less  an  official  of  (1,:,  cf/tectivTli  ^ ' 
" Sl^n  "^'  '^and^heavily  on  the  scene-paihte^rani f  ^ 
Mip^on,    "'=  *aui,  impressive.y,  "Guy  Karlscout  Ua.  «Vo 
•o  me  as  a  son-n^ore,  it  has  "been  one  of  the  «  eaVeW  1^3' 

ton  miirh  J>.    u:    .*"''" '"^  woriQ.     iie  has  suffered  a  raa'.v    v         f 
too  niuch.^n   his  reputation  on    this  unhaift)y  girl's  ^crnV     "  ^ 

The  story  of  the  fl.ght,  and  the  rest  of  it,  .s  no'^secref    ev  -r ' 

Did  Burnham  remember  the  .case  of*  the  missinc  rirl "  AH  •>, 

the  .dvm,semcn.7  he  would  ..rubably  recolS  tf  be  3   ' 

^^  U«  detecuve..     M,.  Bun^r^'^^^'  i^^f^; 
••  1  rooember  ;■  h*  said,  "  I  renirmber.     Cut  MOacted  can 


/ 


• '.  ft'. 


a*  ihnocemi 
"Ofy  I  haia 

ve  fKilicc.'' 
ann.  1 
t  is  as  n^A, 
tt  desires  ll 
becope  ni-, 
9er  tnat  hi> 
|irnputatic>». 
igated,  ari 
red  aiiccavy 
s  ACCOU  »t. 
ret ;  ev  .r) 
it.  he  (ei 
than  I)  ter. 
found  Juy 

oon  .rain, 
flig^  u  was 
told^Mttle 

i  jt  veal  to 

e\o  Fleet 

ct  »r  Bjrn 

ivi  hiding 

iN  blacT 
t,  restless 
:gan  with    -^ 

jirl,  AhV/i 
lad  bccir 

y  »ni5siV| 
i/possille  ~ 
copy  of 
.^w  It 
2tteiit)CD 
landed  it 
t  at  on« 

■ 

ted  ctm- 
e4  <ii'^ 


/ 


N      ./ 


'"« 


/ 


*»j^OM  A  woMAurs  sAJedy 


S»i 


"Ne^—ap  to  th«  present.  We  think  the  cine  la  fonnd 
T*.  We  think  the  girl  was  filurdered." 
J' Murdered  I"  Mr.  Hurnhain  pricked  up  his  tfht^^\  ears  tt 
the  •Lgreeablc. sound  of  that  word.  "Ah  I"  with  p^dtessiowd 
Mi»h,  ■"  murdered,  was  she  ?  And  how  long  ago,  and  how  wu 
k,  a^id  how  has  it  come  to  light  ?  "  '     " 

"Tcir  your   story,    Saundtirs,"    Mr.    Lisle  said.     And    Mf 
»«nnders.  who  was  chewing  tobacco,  and  spitting  politely  in  a 
eomer   rruoved  his  quid  and  repeaie,d  his  story  of  Chnstnuu 
eve,  koca.  '  ._  . 

Inspector.Biilnham  listened  keenly,  never  for  orje  second 
takin^^h^ht,  shan>  eyes  otfthe  sailor's  stolid,  sunbur^d  face. 
"Oh  Chnstmas  eve,  i86a,  pecisely  at  ha^lfpast  eight,  a.m  "* 
Mr.  Burnhain  produced  a  dirty,4ttieket-book,  and  a,  stumpy 
pencil,  which  required  to  be  sucked  audibly  bdii|re  it  would 
make  Us  mark.  "You're  certam  of  the  timeTmy  man?" 
pausing  with  the' stumpy  pencil  poised,  and  transfixing  Bill 
Saunders.  "  Freetsely  half  past  right  when  the  shot  was/fted  / 
You  can  swear  to  this,,  if  necessary  }"  " 

^•Before  the  Lord  Chief  Justice,  sir,"  responded  Saunders, 
aturdily.  "My  watch  is  a  watch  wt^t  nether  goes,  wrong.  It 
wastwerSv  "•-••—  —  --       '         '  .°     ^     .     f* 

shot, 

V   ---:- — -,.      -..  i.nn.,  aiiaip,  1  |cii  iiic  piacc.m 

U  wasn't  the  siirt  o'  pleasant  sjiot  to, make  a  lu^n  Unger." 

"  Let  me^  thf  Itickct, "  the  deteaive  said.  ^ 

Robert  I. isle  handc»l  it' to  him. 
.  ••  You  recpgnfzed  this  loclcet  at  once  ?  "  he  inquired,  examin. 
log  closely  the  4nscnption  and  picture. 

"My  daughter  recognized  it; 'Mr.  Mison,  here,  recoenized 
It  at  tirst  sight."  »  f         »     ««, 

"  I   coulil  swear  to  the  locket,"  said  Duke ;   •♦  I  was  with  ' 
Misff  I. isle  when  she  purchased  it,  and  ordered  the  inscription 
U>  be  engraved.     That  is  also  her  picttue,  and  a  tress  of  her 
SAU-.     It  is  imi>os8ible  to  be  mistaken."^ 

"  .Vfr.  AJasun,"  said  the  ikstective,  "  will  ypu  he  kind  •io«igI|» 
to  Icll'me  all  you  know  of  this  girl's  slory.     i  recoHec*,  n«i5e 
iiitjx.ctly  now,  the  rumor  that  she  ran  away  from  home  witS 
•omt  one— a  gentleman  much  above  her  in  station.     1   «r»» 
right,  am  I  not  }  " 


rdily.  •  My  watch  is  a  watch  w^t  nefer  goes,  wrong.  It 
itwerSy  nunytes  to  nine  when  that  ere  phap  fired  that  ere 
t,  and  It  was  just  a  quarter  6'  nine  yyben  he  jumped  in  his 
)  and  drove  ai^ay.     At  nine,  sharj),  I  left  the  place  myself 


■v 


,».?^»ff!l* 


f|k 


^ 


M 


•*POM  A   tVOMA/rs  SAJPM.** 


_"£he  travelled  up  to  Ix)ndon  with  Mr.  Guy  R*r!sc(»ort-. 
Lif  aleiiant  Fjirhcoorl,  he  was  then,  second  son  of  Ix.rd  Moo 
MM*  »  ^'  '^"  you,  she  didn't  run  away  with  /:t>n." 
"No?"  Mr.  Hurnhani  was  taking  notes  again,  sucking  the 
•turopy  i^ncl  as  if  u  had  been  a  stick  of  can«ly.  in  the  inter 
rata.  ^  ;  She  went  up  to  I.ondon  with  hini,  but  she  didn't  run 
»way  with  hun.     Now.  now  was  that  ?" 

"They  met,  by  cha-^ce,  at  the  station,"  answered  Duke,  ven 
wmh  discomposxl :  "  by  the  merest  chance.  She  loUl  liir.i  she 
^  going  up  to  l.on,lon-it  was  late  in  the  evening,  and  she 
was  afraid  to  travel  i. lone  ;  and  she  asked  hiiu  to  lake  care  ol 

*  o."  J"?  ^  '  '"'7  "**"''^'-  S*'^  ^^^"^^  him  to  take  care  of  her. 
bhe  had  known  \lt.  Karlscourt  a  very  long  tunc,  1  supposed" 

"  ror  two  yeai,?.  off  and  on." 

"She  was  a  very  pretty  girl— this  Alice  Warren  ?" 

"  Very  pretty,  indeed." 

"  Did  any  one  |>resent  on  the  occasion  hear  this  conversatiot 
jjassing  between  Miss  VVarren  and  Mr.  Earlscourt  at  the  sta 

*'  So  one,  that  I  am  aware  of." 

"  Mr.  Karlscourt  saw  her  to  her  destination,  then.  \Vh»t 
was  her-destmation  ?" 

"  Some  lodging-house,  Tottenham  Co-rt  Road  way.     I  forirel 

of'th"TanS;^[;"'     *"'  '""'  '"  ^""^  ^"'  '^^^  '^'  •"  <^»^*^* 
"  Ah  I  "  Hurnham  ^id.     "  We  must  find  that  landlady.     Dr 
you  know,  Mr.  Mason,  if  he  ever  saw  her  again  ?" 

"Ves.  once.  He  told  her  friend.  Miss  Lisle,  that  several 
weeks  after  he  visited  her  at  her  lo.lgings,  and  that  he  found 
her  much  changed-l.,oking  ill  and  unhappy.  He  went  again, 
-ext  dar,  but  in  the  meantime  she  had  been  removed.  She  La* 
lever  been  heard  of  since,  until  n6w." 

.niVM'^'^d;'  ^'•.**"'^"ham   said,  with  a    thoughtful   gnnit 

.     il  WiM  Warren  leave  no  word,  no  message,  no  faiewell.  to 

Anybody  before  quitting  home  ?  " 

Lisle  produceti  her  note,  and  handed  it  to  him. 

'She  wrote  this  to  my  daughter  on  the  night  preceding  her 

Pf^e-  Vou  see  she  s,>eaks  of  her  marriage  there,  for  ceruin.*^ 

Mr.  Murnhain  read  the  note  attemively  two  or  three  tunes. 

^en  place«l  it  with  the  jocket  in  his  desk. 

''Si^ZSll^fSlll.^^^^^  M.«,n. 


■r-- 


irlscontrt— 
vord  Mon 
I." 

tcJcing  the 
the  inter 
didn't  run 

")iike,  ver) 
Id  liir.i  shf 
;,  and  she 
ke  care  o( 

ire  of  her. 
ppose  f  " 


iversatiot 
t  the  sta 


I.     Whit 

I  forgH 
n  charge 

idy.     Zk 

I  ieveraJ 

le  found 

nt  again, 

She  ItOM 

il   gniut 
ewell,  tu 


ding  her 
certain/ 
e  tuneaii 


Maaon, 
fUtiop 


and  above  her.     The  month  was  September.     Were  «hcit  tuany 
fentlenien  staying  at  Montalien  Hriorv  in  September,  i86a  ?" 

"There  were  six,"  Duke  answeretj,  after  a  second's  pause. 
'«Ix>rd  Moniahen  hims«lf.  his  brother  C.uy,  SU.  Allan  Fane,  the 
artist,  Sir  Harry  Gordon,  Captain  Cecil  ViLiers,^  and  a  *Mr. 
Augustus  Stedinan.  1  remember  aU  their  names  becaust  them 
was  so  much  talk  at  the  time." 

••  V'^s ;  antl  were  any  of  those  gentlemen  admirers  of  MIm 
iVarren?     Did  ihey  visit  at  her  father's  house  ?" 

"They  a/.'  visited  there— excrpt.   perhaps,  Mr.  Allan   Kan«  . 
who  was  a  married  man,  and  out  of  the  question." 

"  The  others  all  visiled  at  the  hn.[\itTs  house,  then.  Did  sat. 
picton  fall  uporwu)nc  of  these  ?—<hd  Miss  Wairen  evince  nt 
partiality?  IjAist  have  been  pr,?tty  clear  wnich  she  lAed 
best,  and  she  waTevidcnlly  very  moch  in  love  wiUi  the  man  she 
ran  away  to  marry  ?  " 

Duke  hesitated.  He  knew  Paulina's  suspicions  of  l.ord 
Montalien,  but  they  were  only  PauLna's  suspicions— no  one 
shared  them.      He  had  no  right  to  repeat  them. 

"  No,"  he  answered  after  that  pause.  "  1  never  heard  she 
evinced  any  particular  partiality.  The-  all  went,  and  she  was 
pleasant  to  all.     1  know  no  more."  q 

"And  I'm  very  much  obliged  to.you  for  telling  wha|»^U  do 
know,  I'm  sure,"  Inspector  Burnham  said  f)olitely.  "  Now,  B 
I  only  had  the  addresses  of  those  genn-Jiien— y«u  couldn't 
mrnish  me  with  them,  I  suppose  ?  " 

No,  Mr.  Mason  could  not  Sir  Harry  Gordon  and  Captain 
VilherF  were  in  the  Guards,  Mr.  Allan  Fane  »n,l  Mr.  Guy  hlarls- 
oourt  were  in  London,  and  easily  to  be  ftmn<l  when  wanted 
And  Lord  Montalien  was  down  in  Lincolnshire,  at  the  Prioif, 
in  very  bad  health. 

Mr.  Hurnham  shat  up  his  pocket-bcok,  locked  his  desk,  locked 
at  his  watch,  and  got  up. 

"  Half  past  four.  J  don't  see  anything  to  hinder  our  taking 
1  drive  out  to  liattersea-way,  and  having  a  look  at  Hiis  spot  Ma 
bunders  tells  us  of  We'll  dismiss  the  cabs  soior  distance  oft 
Mid  go  on  foot  to  iiie  place." 

He  rang  a  bell,  whispered  a  few  words  to  a  rabordinate. 
and  prepared  f^r  the  drive. 

!' jj'g  D"t  likely  tli»  remains  Jave  ever  feeen^  diacovww^^tiF^ 

we  d  have  heanl  of  it.  Curious  how  those 'things  turn  up.  Yoa 
didn't  see  the  man's  face,  you  say?"  to  Saundcra  "Yon 
•ooldn't  identify  huu  again  if  you  n*rt,  I  sappose?" 


i: 


$w 


'FOM  A   WOMAN^S  SAI'M* 


m 


[i\t 


In  rotirw  rot,  *  werwer^d  Saunders ;  "  /  never  see  his  fece, 
He  had  a  muffler,  or  a  cohifoiter,  t*-isted  lu  to  his  nose,  ani', 
It  was>.nomn'  like  all  creation.  He  was  a  tall,  slim  chap,  I 
■ee  that,  wiih  the  look  of  a  gentleman,  but  I  couldn't  teU  hiiR 
•gain  not  if  I  ran  slap  agin  him  this  minute." 

"Cabs  waiting,  su-,"  a  voice  called,  and  th;  men  went  out  tc 
*'.  "J^^  "r*"^  ca^s  were  before  the  door,  a  id  in  the  foremott 
«k»ch  Inspector  Bumham  entered,  a  man  sat  who  had  as 
wBnai  au,  hke  the  inspector  himself.  A  larre  box  was  placed 
•n  his  knees.  • 

•Til  go  in  this,  with  my  friend  Timmins, '  Bumham  said 
You  three  gentlemen  will  take  the  four-wheeler." 
He  gave  the  word,  and  the  cab  started.  In  the  second  car 
nage  the  three  men  sat  in  profound  silence— it  was  not  a  pleas- 
ant enand  they  were  going  u})on— to  look  at  the  sjwt  where 
poor  Alice  Warren  had  been  so  fouUy  murdered,  and  find  all 
ttat  remained  of  her  after  six  years. 

1  he  drive  was  not  a  very  long  one.  As  the  bl^ak  extent  di 
(jraite  ground  came  in  vjew,  bleak  even  this  golden  summer 
day,  Inspector  Burnham  stopped  the  cab,  and  with  his  com- 
panion got  out.  That  companion  carried  under  his  arm  the 
box  before  s|)oken  of,  and  in  his  left  hand  a  light  spade.  The 
occupants  of  the  second  carriage  looked  with  some  curiosity  at 
these  thmgs,  but  no  one  asked  any  questions. 

"You  are  sure.you  will  recogni/t  the  exact  spot,~Mx.  Saun- 
ders?    the  policeman  asked. 

.  "Sartin,  sir,"  the  seaman  responded.  "Pve  seen  it,  8l-»*ping 
and  waking,  every  day  and  night  since  I  was  unlucky  enouah 
to  lay  eyes  on  it  first."  '  . 

He  went  on  ahead,  the  two  detectives  following,  and  Lisl  • 
«id  Duke  bringing  up  the  rear.     The  July  afternoon  was  at  it^ 
taeUowesi  as  Aey  crossed  the  common— yeUow  sunshine  ever> 
where,  and  a  bright,  blue  heaven  over  alL    Ten  minutes'  wall 
Ing,  and  the  sailor  stopped  short 

«i'i.^''u'*^'"*^'*  ^^^  P'^^'  ^"■'"  ^^  ^^  *o  the  detectivet 
Ihings  hasn't  changed  a  mite  since  I  was  here  six  years  ago 
There's  the  old  kiln,  behind  which  I  watched  the  man,  and  thii 
fcore'i  the  8|>ot  where  I  picked  up  the  locket.  Oijf  among  this 
nibbish  at  the  entrancs,  and  you'U  £nd  aU  thafa  left  oi  uuu 
yiere  misfortunate  voung  'tximaii." 

_^^  P'«gg  to  which  he  pointed  was  a  sort  of  rxravation.  hot 
lowtdou.  of  the  high,  clayey  rmbankment,  tfa«  entrance  choM 
op  with  rabbiih  of  every  wan. 


-^^    'il.A.       \     iLt 


■•i^^il^i^^iM. 


'•Pox  A   WOMAlf^S  SAJta,* 


l«7 


"Dig  "nrnmins,"  Inspector  bcrnham  gaid  8entent^n«4y.  ud 
IPftngdAirB  his  box. 

Tinimii  <  8ft  tix  wurk.  The  dry  rubDish  came  aw»y  tasily 
enough.     Ave  miruies  wotit,  am]  the  entrance  was  cleair'i 

Mr.  Bum  un  stuopedandluoked  in.  The  hollow  place  r-t. 
quite  dark  a^  d  quite  dry— an  earthy  odor  alone  was  jierccpti 
We.  It  was  t  'crably  large,  not  high  enough  for  a  man  to  stam' 
ip'»«ht  in.  It  Sad  evidently  been  made  and  used  loag  ago  fa 
ire  p-irfxise  of  hoKhng  tools.  7 

"  Fetch  along  i>e  Untern,  Timmins,"  the  detective/said.  « 1 
dioiight  It  might  be  dark,'*  to  Mr.  Lisle,  "and  came  provided. 
If  ycu  please,  III  trouble  you  to  follow  me  in." 

Tiinmins  produced  a  small  lantern  from  the  box,  lighted  the 
candle,  and  handeil  it  to  his  superior  officer.  InsiiecLor  Bum- 
ham  went  in  at  once,  holding  tlie  light  before  him. 

Lisle  followed.  The  plate  was  perfecUy  dry  and  of  con 
nderable  extent 

Three  steps  from  the  enOjaace,  and  what  they  sought  was 

A  human  skull  lay  at  the  detective's  feet,  human  bones  1» 
scattered,  antl  dry,  and  fleshless,  a  mass  of  long,  brown  hair, 
and, torn  fraginents  of  a  wouian's  dress. 

"  Ixjok  !'  said  lns|)ector  Burnhaiu.  ,. 

He  picked  up  the  skull  with«.pertect  coolness,  ai'd  passed  it 
lo  his  companion. 

B.;t  Robert  Lisle  declined  taking  it  by  a  nkotion  IXath,  b 
Its  most  horrible  fonns,  had  been  bmiliar  to  him  i/«  hi*  check- 
ered career,  soldiers  he  had  seen  mown  down  like  corr.  before 
the  sickle,  but  this  was  different 

A  helpless  woman,  murdered  in  cold  blood,  is  perhips.  '»1 
all  ternble  and  unnatural  things  the  most  terribl*    an-J  unrjt, 
oral     And  this  woman  had  been  his  beloved  dat  tliic*r's  deai 
est  friend.  * 

♦•  Timmins,"  Mr.  Bumham  said,  setting  down  \  is  ligol,  aiu 
getting  on  his  knees,  "fetch  us  the  box." 

Tinimins  groficd  his  way  in— the  box  was  evidently  broughl 
far  the  purpose  of  removing  the  remains.  Lisle  wat  :l»d  tiM 
detective  and  the  nergeant,  wondering  at  their  pro?,  ssional  cooV 
MU.  They  gaHtered  together  everytliing— hair— I  at«es— even 
ihred  of  dress.  . 

^^*^  Have  we  all?"  asked  Uw  iuspwim,  p— h^  wUk  UHlT" 
Itni  over  the  •nmnd. 

"Ithittksa    No-HMMaU;  whafs«iU«l* 


\ 


.'.„4,ai»feiiis  ,S!i'-.i&v; 


# 


\ 


f;:ii 


Jtt  WM  a  tiDT  alk«n  tMig,  with  a  stnng.  as  if  it  hatl  I>«en  iron 
•Mat  the  neck.  Sotn^rhmg  Ike  paper  crackled  within.  In- 
q>«Ctor  Bttmham  op«;^ed  the  little  bag,  and  drew  out  a  tlin  o« 
paper.  Was  it  a  marriage  certificate  ?  No,  it  was  an  a  Kbrti 
—tte  address  of  lieutenant  Guy  h:arlscoun,  FiccadUli— lU 
•ddress  Guy  had  turned  back  to  give  Alice  on  the  night  of  \m 
•nrn^  at  Gilberfi  Gardens,  when  he  had  told  her,  i/  ^^vt  a 

^v    u°!i'?*^'^^  *°  **^"**  *"  **""•  *"^  ^^  *°"'J  come  to  h<r. 

bhe  had  kept  it  always  in  grateful  remembrance— n<H>T  Alice 
--of  his  kind  words  and  looks.  And  now  it  had  come  to  beai 
«  suent  r.tners  against  hun.  . 

Nothing  ^emainttJ— the  box  and  its  ghastly  contents  were 
Jken  out  by  I  inimins.  The  three  men  once  more  stood  in 
the  bright  sunlight,  and  the  secret  of  that  dark  excavation  was 
Its  secret  no  longer. 

_  Timmins  shouldereil  the  box  and  started  back  for  his  cab- 
the  others  foUowing—sdent,  gloomy.  A II  sa  ve  1  nspector  Hum- 
ham— his  silence  was  the  silence  of  deep  thought,  net  gloom. 
Here  was  a  splendid  case  cropping  uj)— a  case  that  would  crrate 
*'*'^*^"»'"'^"^  ''^'■°"g'^0"«  ^fi*  '^^ni^th  and  brea.lih  of  Knyland. 

The  Honorable  Guy  liirlscourt,  the  brother  of  l^rd  Monta 
fleu,  the  popular  author,  hunted  down  for  n.urdet,  and  by  him. 
Inspector  Burnhara,     Why.  if  he  could  track  the  deed  clcarlj 
home  to  hiin,  his  reputation  to^^life  was  made. 

He  Unked  his  arm  in  Duke's,  who  would  much  rathv  not. 
nd  drew  hun  a  little  behind. 

"I  have  another  question  to  ask  you,  Mr.  Mason.  Are  you 
aware  by  what  name  this  Miss  Warren  went  in  her  lodsiucs? 
An  assumed  name,  I'll  wager." 

**It  was  an  assumed  name,"  answered  Duke.  "She  was 
known  as  Mrs.  Brown."  c  w» 

"And  how  do  you  happen  to  be  «ware  of  it?  Oh,"  car» 
tessly,  "  Mr.  tarlscourt,  no  doubt,  infonucd  Miss  IJile  ?" 

"He  di<l" 

u  4-'  ^I"\ '^'^T!*' '  P*'  note-book  and  pencH  came  out  again. 
"Tottenham  Court  Rwd,.  I  think  ?  You  iont  remember  or. 
perhaps,  you  never  heard  the  name  of  the  landlady  >  It's  es- 
•ratial  to  fin»l  that  woman,  Mr.  Mason." 

"1  have  hsard  the  name,  but  i  forget.  It  began  with  ar.  H 
— Ilobnes,  or  Hayes,  something  of  that  kind." 

*! ^ **'**  *'''»*^  "^^^  remember,  no  doubt?" 


^^iarJvisle  u  ill  dfT>rai.-.  fever— al.e  w^t^mev^bn  ueAkm^ 
DBke  said»  and  relapsed  mu;  silence  and  giowa 


*V 


*7Vir  A   VirOttAirS  SAKM* 


38> 


f4Ur»> 


Mr.  Hnmham  left  Duke  and  approached  SaunJen    . 

"  And  whrre  shall  we  find  you,  my  nun,  when. we  want  VOB? 
Yoo  are  the  most  unportant  (Personage  in  the  matter  just  poiTf 
and  mast  ipve  bonds  by  an<l  by  for  your  appearance  when  ciillel 
Upon.     Do  you  return  to  Lincolnshire  or  remain  in  linden  ?*^ 

**  I  stays  het'e,"  Sjiunders  answered ;  "  I  ain't  got  no  biui 
Bess  in  Lincolnshire,  and  1  mean  to  stay  ashore  until  1  sec  tht 
end  of  this  here  matter.  W'hen  you  wsnts  nie  I'm  on  hand  and 
irinn." 

He  gave  an  address.  Mr.  Burnhani  took  it  down.  Then 
4iey  re-entered  their  reiiteotive  cabs,  kjid  drow  back  to  Lon- 
don. 

It  was  very  late  when  ^fr.  Lule  and  Duke  learhed  home. 
^Olivia  dew  to  her  husband  as  she  always  <li<l,  whether  his  absence 
was  long  or  short,  forgeuing,  in  the  raptiue  of  hrs  relum»^eveiy< 
thing  else  for  ihe  moment.     . 

I'aulina  was  much  the  same — no  better — no  worse — knowing 
n^  ons — res-tless — parched  with  thirst— delirious  always,  calling 
— sleeping  and  w;tkjiig — for  **  Alice,  Alice  I" 

lns|>ectut  Humhain.  of  the  Metroi>olitan  Police,  wenttoworit 
St  once,  and  with  a  will,  working  up  this  extraordinary  case; 
(;xiiaor«iiiiary  only  in  that  so  distinguished  a  man  as  (tuy  Earls- 
Court  was  die  suspec'.ed  criminal.  He  notified  the  coroner  ol 
the  di<trict,  and  placed  the  box  and  its  dreailhil  contents  under 
his  charge.  An(l  then  he  set  to  work  to  hunt  up  the  Ipdging- 
house  in  Tottenham  Court  Road,  to  which  Mr.  Katiscuurt  hw) 
brought  /\lice  Wairen. 

I'I.e  taiik  was  not  ilifficult  to  a  man  of  Afr.  Bumham's  skiD 
»nd  experience.  Mrs.  Howe  stiU  resided  atHhe  same  place, 
and  in  the  same  house,  and  remembered,  very  reatlily,  when  Mr. 
Burmliam  asked  the  question  al)Out  tlie  "Mrs.  Brown"  who  six 
fears  before  had  been  her  lo<iger. 

"  Which  a  nicer  young  persng,  or  one  as  gave  less  tronUe^ 
oevrr  set  foot  in  this  'ciis;  tin~e  or  before,"  said  Mrs.  Ho«re ; 
"and  from  the  day  she  left  to  this  minute,  I've  never  heaidtale 
or  tidings.  And  \  d.^  'o|)e,  sir,  as  'ow  the  ^.h  toi  la<ly  is  weO  and 
'appv,  which  shic  certm^ly  wa?  neither  whei.  *i\t  left  here." 

"Neither  well  nor  iia'ppy  /  I'mi  sorry  to  hear  thaL  Iff. 
Rrown  perha|is  treated  her-  unkindiv  }  " 

"Brown!"  ciinl  Mrs.  il owe,    in  shrill  scorn;   "no  w*a 

-Bmwn  ».hari  I'm  a  Duictanarrf     iie  was  a  tniUlngtary  tweO. 

«i  frays  s«i<i  tt  6ora  the  first,  and  always  shall,  and  whether  ib« 

t4M  bJa  wiie  Gr  not,  be  knowa  oesi.    She  thought  shejaraa^  yttf^ 


S-Jji-t*, 


K 


«?■ 


ffo 


*POM  4  WCMAirs  SAkM* 


!■ 


dew.  far  s  morb  nuiporenter  creeter  never  ciuie  dp  frwm  .hi 
omniry  to  go  to  ner fining  and  misery  in  Lon-Jon.  He  wu  » 
auhingurvgent,  and  m-  veiv  'andsomest  I  ever  nee,  though  hu 

u'^lTs"^  *•**  rewrite  of  'andsonie.  Not  but  thai hs  uaW 
up  the  Wl  without  a  word—hasking  for  a  receipt  in  thai  'Hariitt 
•ajr  of  his—but  he  treated  her  shameful,  poor  scul,  and  tefi  hM 
"".Ta"**  J?"^''  *®  '  »hadder,  ax  ahe  wan  when  took  awai  " 

A  m.lhngtary  gent."  lepeated  Mr.  Bumham.  •»  Wha^^  wtf 
iic  hke.  Mis.  Howe?"  "•»  ^^w 

"  TaU  and  'andsorae,  carrying  his  »ead  hire  that,"— Mrs.  Hoira 
flang  up  her  own— "  dark-complected,  daik-hcyed,  black  'air. 
wv  glossy,  curly,  and  black  mostaches.  I  never  'ad  a  aood 
l«A  «t  hu  lace,  but  once— the  night  he  first  brought  her  Ticre 
—he  halways  came  muffled  up  haftenraidi^  but  I  see  him  at 
plain  now  as  I  did  that  minute." 

w  "  ^\^  anything  like  him  ?  "  inquired  Mr.  Bumham  quietly. 
He  produced  a  photograph,  and  Alxs.  Howe  uttered  a  cry  ol 
recognition.  ^.  •  ujr  « 

"  thaf  8  him  f  thaf  s  him— Mrs.  Brown's  'usband  !  Thaf  s  the 
rejy  gent  1  mean— 1  couH  tell  that  picture  anywhere  I  " 

Mr.  Burnham  replaced  the  photograph  of  Guy  Earlscourt  in 
•18  pocket. 

"  Now,  Mrs.  Howe,"  he  «ld.  "  FU  tell  you  who  I  am.  Fm 
Inspector  Bumham,  of  the  detective  force." 

Mrs.  Howe  gave  a  gasp.  "  Don't  be  afraid  ;  I'll  not  do  vw 
•ny  harm.  Ihis  young  woman,  you  knew  as  Mrs.  Browi  is 
mi88ing-ha«  bewi  foi  some  years  back,  and  we  want  to  find 
ler,  thafs  alL  What  you've  got  to  do  is  to  teU  me  everyihirjj 
JJ^  »^J.f«>m  the  hour  Mrs.  Brown  entered  your  house  unJ 

He  produced  the  notebook,  and  gave  the  stumpy  pencO  a 

Mrs.  Howe,  in  mortal  terror  of  a  detective  began  at  the  bc^ 
pnmng— the  visit  of  Augustus  Stedman  to  engage  the  loomt 
»r  a  party  from  the  country,  a  runaway^^latch,  goinif  to  b« 
■Mumed  the  day  after  her  arrival"  ••  Which,"  said  Mrs.  Uo««^ 
I*  them  were  his  own  expressions." 
"  You  don't  know  this  young  man's  name  ?" 
"  No,  Mrs.  Howe  had  never  heard  it,  and  never  set  eyes  oe 

"  SSSibS*hi£'!**  ''*^  *^*  **"  ^  ''*"*°*  ^'  "***  mining. 


«Kf  #  f|r^  ODce  seen  veij  eaaiiy  i«nwiob«ra4.    Ux%.  Htm% 


«w- 


i^-rtlLbiarji 


•  fon  A  woMdirs  sAXfi* 


S9i 


air. 


:j 


W  ^  good  meiDory  for  faces,  however,  and  hit  off  Mr.  1 
pretty  well 

"  Well  find  him  when  we  want  him,  I  dare  say,"  said  the  4» 
lecttve,  writing  rapidly.     "Co  ahea.1,  Mrs.  Howe." 

Mij.  Howe  described-  the  arrival  of  Guy  and  Alice  aboii 
■idui^jht,  and  the  apjjearance  of  both. 

Air.  Bumham  produced  a  second  portrait  this  time  of  Alioa 
jWOCured  from  Speckhaven. 

"  la  this  anything  like  her  ?  " 

"As  like  as  like— that's  Mrs.  Brown,  as  I  saw  hw  fiiit ;  as 
jnrect  and  pretty  a  face  as  ever  I  set  my  heyes  on.  Not  that 
her  good  looks  lastea  long,  poor  thing." 

'•  What  was  the  gentleman's  manner  ?•— affectionate,  now.  ai 
a  lover's  might  be  ? "  <  -»         » 

«♦  Well^yes,"  hesitating  somewhat ;  "he  seemed  very  careful 
of  her  and  that,  and  called  Jier  •  Halice;'  and  when  he  said 
good-by,  and  left  the  roonvfie  ran  back  to  her  again.  Yes,  he 
tvas  haffectionate,  Mr.  Burnham",  sir." 

"Did  you  hear  her  address  htm  by  his  Christian  name  ?" 

The  landlady  shook  her  head. 

"No,  sir,  she  didn't  in  m^  'earing;  I  should  have  remenv 
bered  it  if  she  had.  No,  sir,  W  didn't  And  then  he  went 
away,  and  she  went  up  to  bed.  \i\nd  the  next  afternoon,  about 
SIX  o  clock  •!  think  it  was,  a  cab  drove  up,  and  a  gentleman 
got  out,  and  ran  up  the  stairs.  I  went  to  the  front  window  to 
watch  then:  going  h^fj  to  be  married,  bot^  couldn't  see  his  &ce. 
He  iiarl  a  wide,  black  hat  slouched  down  over  his  nose,  and  hif 
coat-collar,  that  turned  up— *here  was  no  getting  a  look  at  him. 
And  It  was  alter  dark  before  Uicy  came  back.  And  when  he 
Ciine  after  that,  it  was  halways  in  a  sort  of  disguis<».  Most  of 
hr  tunes  I  was  busy  in  the  kitcheii,  and  iidn't  .ee  him  at  all 
—when  I  did,  I  couldn't  get  another  look  at  his  face.  He 
generally  came  about  dusk,  too,  and  the  passage  is  dark.  Nol 
«r,  except  the  first  night,  1  never  got  a  look  at  Mia.  Brown'i 
'naband's  face." 

Mrs.  Howe  had  very  little  more  real  information  to  give  Ui   ' 
Bimiham.     Would  she  try,  and  think— had  hot  the  tall,  datk, 
miataiy  young  gentleman  caUed  afterward,  unmuffled  and  un. 
ai^iit-<d? 

Mil  Howe  shook  her  head.     Not  that  die  had  ever  leen  j 

^t  iiow  Mr^  Burnham  spoke  of  %  ahe  did  fetnember  Sarah 

Hann  (the  girl)  telling  her  of  a  visitor  Mrs.  Brown  had  had  is 

^m  MMnce,  who  c»Led  early  and  on  the  fint  occ««od  hcouglbl 


^ 


S9S 


*rOM  A   WOMAN*S  SAKE.^ 


a  bodquet  of  roics.  She  had  been  very  busy  at  the  time,  an^ 
gud  but  lJ«le  attention.  It  was  the  very  day  before  Mr» 
MrowT)  left.  ^Later  that  same  afternoon  her  husband  hid  called. 
It  might  and  it  nught  not  be  him  as  had  br-rrrht  die  rosea. 
She  herself  had  let  hir.  in.  It  was  daik  and  rainy,  the  remtm. 
Dcred,  and  he  had  a  shawl  wound  about  the  lowci  part  of  hu 
■ce.  He  and  Mrs.  Brown  had  (luarrelled-— they  had  heard  oa 
cryini,  and  his  voice  raised  as  if  in  anger.  He  had  paid  Um 
!nl]  Imnself  m  the  passage,  and  informed  her  her  lotjgtrwtjdd 
ieave  neit  day.  So  she  had,  for  the  country  son  ewhere,  she 
tart  to.d  Mra,  Howe  on  goin' ;  "and  if  ever  any  poor  soul 
looked  heart-broke,"  the  landhidy  pathetically  concluded,  "it 
was  Mre.  Brown,  as  she  got  into  the  cab  and  drove  away 
VXO.A  that  day  to  this  I've  never  set  eyes  or  heard  tell  of  her. 
but  Sarah  Hann,  she  told  me  next  day.  when  I  came  home 
from  msuket,  how  the  tall,  dark  gent  'h?d  been  back  again,  has- 
km  for  Mrs.  Brown,  and  seemed  upset  like  when  told  she  waa 
gone.  "Which,"  concluded  the  landlady,  "was  like  his  'eartlert 
dicks  to  deceive  j^opie,  and  made  them  think  as  'ow  he  wasn't 
Bic  party  as  took  her  awav  hmiself." 

Mr.  Buniliaiu  inquired  for  "Sarah  Hann."  Mrs.  Howe 
•hook  her  head  in  a  melancholy  way.  "  Sarah  Hami  had  been 
dead  and  gone  these  two  years  of  a  decline.  She  had  no  more 
to  t«lL  To  what  she  had  told  she  was  ready  to  take  her  affv- 
davit  in  any  court  in  London." 

"And  I'm  ve^y  much  obliged  to  you,  Mrs.  Howe,"  Inspec- 
tor  Burnham  said,  rising  to  depart,  "for  the  pk-asant  mannei 
tn  which  you  have  given  your  information.  If  we  can  only  dis- 
rover  now  whereabouts  Mr..  Brown  took  his  wife  when  she  left 
t»Ubcrt  8  Oardens,  1  think  we  shall  have  a  very  pretty  UtU- 
case  worked  up.     Good-day  to  you,  ma'ato." 


Tvr  dan  ^ater.  and  in  his  t tudio,  with  the  slanting  rayi  of  (he 
Jmysur.8tisan-.ng  in  u|)on  the  canvas,  an  old  friend  of  tmn 
•Un.l8,  busily  painting.  It  is  Allan  Fane,  the  artist,  whom,  in 
the  press  of  others'  affairs,  we  have  quite  lost  sight  of  late  r. 
The  studio  u  a  v^ry  small,  very  luxurious  little  oom,  sacrej  to 
the  artist  himself,  his  most  cherished  pictures,  and  most  inti. 
nate  friends.  There  is  a  larger,  outer  atelier,  where  gentle 
Jien  ^Q^sgate  to  jmoke  and  talk,  long-haired  c^tkaMK 
moiiUy,  who  didn't  patronize  bvbers— the  Brotiierhoo^  of  tbf 


Uli 

de 

bh 

* 

UM 

01 

' 

on 

Ml 

DM 

a¥-:>.' 

.m,' 

'.'V'" 


*FOM  'A   HVMA^S  SAfM," 


$9} 


The  years  that  have  t>ecn  so  fraught  with  evci^li  foj  other% 
nave  not  passed  without  change  over  the  h^ad  ol  AUau  Fane. 
He  stands  here  to-day  with  the  yellow  sunshine  on  his  face, 
^eatly  changed,  greatly  improved,  from  the  effeminate,  weakly, 
indolent,  and  selfish  young  nun,  who,  eight  ye&rs  ago,  fell  in 
love  with  and  deserted  little  Polly  Mason.  The  fairer,  some 
irhat  womanish  beauty  of  his  face  remains,  but  his  long,  goldef 
beari!,  and  the  firmer  curve  of  the  lips,  the  giavei  light  of  the 
syes,  tell  now  of  strength,  and  power— ay,  gentus  within.  lU 
tt  a  celebrated  man — he  has  won  for  himself  fame  and  wealth 
and  the  Kond  Street  tailor  has  cause  at  last  to  be  ptoud  of  hn 
•on — a  son,  who  has  sense  enough  to^be  ashaiued  of  his  hum- 
ble origin  no  more. 

A  month  after  that  October  day  on  which  he  had  met 
Paulina  down  in  S]>eckhaven,  afler  her  return  from  France,  hit 
wife  had  died  abroad.  Her  fortune  had  gone  with  her — that 
fortune  for  which  he  had  so  weakly  sold  himself,  and  once 
more  he  was  free.  He  tried,  manfully  enough,  to  repress  the 
feeling  of  relief  and  gladness  that  itvu/d  arise — his  wedded  life 
had  been  unspeakably  bitter,  and  eight  months  after  then 
union  they  had  parted  by  mutual  consent — and  he  was  free — 
and  Paulina  Lisle. 

He  went  back  to  his  brush  and  easel,  and  worked  as  he  had 
never  worked  in  his  life  before.  The  picture  was  his  long- 
dreamed  of,  long  talked  of  '•  Rosamond  and  Eleanor ;"  and  he 
painted  his  Rosamond  from  memory.  All  that  winter  he  speht 
at  Montalien  Priory  over  this  one  painting,  and  in  the  spring 
it  went  to  the  exhibition.  On  the  chances  of  that  picture  hif 
whole  future  hung — if  it  failed,  his  ruin  was  com|>lete.  Tiie 
picture  was  a  great,  a  wonderful  success— crowds  (locked  dailvf 
to  see  it,  the  newspapers  praised  and  abused  it  without  boun(U 
— all  London  talked  of  it,  a  royal  duke  bought  it  at  a  fabulouf 
price — orders  rushed  in  upon  him.  and  the  artist's  fortune  wu 
made.  The  world  had  not  seen  Paulina  Lisle  then,  but  a  lit 
tie  later  and  people  began  to  talk  of  the  marvellous  resem 
blance  between  Sir  Vane  Chartens's  ward  and  the  fair  Riwa^ 
mond,  and  to  discover  that  Miss  Lisle  must  have  lat  for  tht 
oiwnal 

The  picture  wa?  a  striking  one. 

You  saw  a  bleak  stone  hall,  a  red,  rising  moon  through  id 
jMie  wide_  open^  casement,  renting  its  wax  vp  throu^  piwr»  aL 
{•Sgercd  black  clouds.    Queen  Eleanor  stood,   a  «Tathfi4 
mttrdenmf  woman,  cs/bed  in  heavy  gpmple  dnpeiiei^  with  beBU^ 


r'*^^!^"  ' 


ft^if^  ^       ^  .  ■((  >  k&^'»43^''^ 


■v 


A|94 


'#a#  A  moMAJ^'s  SAMA* 


/^ 


I?! 


M»ck  brt»#%  and  evet  of  dusky  lire,  rroflering  the  btml  ^94 
dagger.  Rosamond  stood  with  the  ted  light  of  the  rising  uoda 
opon  tier  fair  face  and  flowing  golden  hair— a.  fomi  skrder  txyi 
gihshi  drawn  up  to  its  fillest  hcight^-the  face  white  as  death, 
fte  hlue  e)'es  flashing  as  blue  eyes  only  fla^  the  whole  fear- 
Jeia  face  full  of  pride  and  dehant  so^m. 

So,  surely,  never  looked  the  fair,  frail  mistress  of  the  kiibi 
confronted  by  the  jealous  wife,  but  so  Allan  Fane  had  clioseo 
IP  paint  her.  The  face  shone  out  so  vividly,  so  startlirigh 
™*-^ke  trom  the  canvas,  that  you  seemed  to  hear  the  scornfiiJ 
words  of  defiance  with  which  she  braved  the  infuriate  queen. 
H«l  PaOlma  Lisle  ever  really  looked  like  that,  jHrople  won 
dei^?  Nb;  but  jr  the  twilight  of  a  summer  day,  Polly 
Matin  Aad,aj^  she  nung  his  ring  at  Allan  Kane's  feet,  and 
•toco  before  hit|i  in  her  newfound  womanhood,  scorning  him. 
Wh  le  life  remained  Allan  Fane  would  never  forget  how  she 
cokec  how  she  spoke  then 
»      The  picture  was  a  «iccess,  and  his  fortune  nuade. 

He  jd  not  |o  into  society  that  year ;  he  heard  in  silence  of 
Her  l>e  .uty  and  her  triump^js ;  and  the  second  season  he  met 
her.  The  old  love,  stronger  than  ever,  filled  his  heart— he 
was  f&fnous  now,  anfl  rap'dly  acquiring  wealth,  and  he  laid  his 
laurel  crown  very  humbly  at  her  feet.  He  loved  her  devoted'v 
—•with  a  love  that  knew  no  cliangc-— would  she  be  his  «rife? 
Her  answer  had  been  a  refusal,  a  refusal  that  crushed  out 
fvcry  atom  of  hope. 

"Th.  timfe  for  all  that  is  past,  Mr.  Fane,"  she  said  quietly, 
•♦  I  coul  I  not  care  for  you  now  if  I  tried.  WUl  you  let  me  be 
four  fuend  ?     Vour  wife  I  never  can  be.     It  is  too  late." 

Too  late!  The  old  dreary  refrain.  Once  her  love  had 
been  within  his  grasp,,  and  he  had  turned  away  from  the  gift, 
and  now  it  wai  too  late  I  He  accepted  his  fate,  with  a  brave 
patience  titat  made  tier  like  him  as  nothing  else  could  have 
ione,  and  they  hid  been  "  friends,"  as  she  wished  it,  sinctfT 

There  are  not  many  hien  who  will  remain  the  faitliful  friend 
J  the  w^pman  who  refuses  them — Allan  Kane  was  one. 

Wi.^Om  and  generosity  were  coming  to  him  with  years  and  - 
pofTeiing.  •"  ' 

He  ttands  this  July  afternoon  paipting  busily.    He  b  not 

r  '*''''^.    P"  *  Turkidi  divan,   smoking  a  loitg,  twisted  pipe, 

( ifietched  at  full  length,  lies  Guy  Kariscourt!     It  is  the  last  dm 

.«l=iymafinrEngland--by  the  latest  trajn  he  departs  for  liwr"" 

poo^  19  wl  ttMnonow  for  New  Yurk,  and  hit  last  hotfl  lie  k 


.   \ 


K 


■  \- 


A   WOMA/PS  SAKJL* 


l»i 


V. 


■1 


q)ciMling  «Rth  his  friend     A  greyhound  lies  at  b-«  reet,^cadi 
\boki  up  in  his  face  irith  darkly  loving  eye«.  as  Guy  pulic  his 
nbttfe^an  through  his  fingers. 

There  is  silence  in  the  little  room— the  artist  works  uidoa 
tnously,  and  (Juy  smi)|^s  and  watc)w;8  with  d-eakny  e><M  a 
pidture  hanging  op|)ogite.  It  is  the  fair  head  and  (nu:i>fii 
throat  of  a  girl  in.  her  first  youth— the  li|is  wear  a  »4i;c>  Sliilci 
the  sapphire  eyes  sparkle  with  laughing  light,  an  J  ^^llow  yot 
wh-rtver  you  go.  The  picture  is  richly  fiame.l,  and  nevei 
leave?  that  syiot— it  is  a  portrait  of  "  Polly  MaaOii." 

"What  do  you  think  of  it,  Ouy?"  the  ait.Si  says,  at  lengtk 
catching  the  glance      ••  It  is  like  her,  1  tmna,  as— as  we  kn^«»  * 
her  first."  '  a  / 

It  was  almost  the  orjy  time  fcr  name  nad  passed  his  lips  tb 
Guy.     He  dreamed  n<a  of  the  young  auuior's  secret,  of  course, 
i)ut    he   had    seen    them    together,  nolro,    with    siirjirise,    the 
n.arked  restraint  and  avoidance  bevween  them,  and  felt  theie- 
,  must  be  a  secret  beh'nd 

"  Very  like,"  (luy  inswered ;  ♦'  so  like  that  I.ca»  see  thai 
birthday  fete  and  her,  as  she  s.ood  oancing  in  the  sunshine. 
Allan,  I  should  like  a  copy  of  d«it  jwcture  to  take  with  me " 

"To  your  second  exile.  Vju  siiall  have  it  J  have  already 
promised  a  copy  to  aito.hcr  old  friend  of  hers,  Duke  Mason. 
What  a  strangely  chcd.eicd  life  hers  has  been— little  Polly 
Mason— reject  a  Oakc  I  (.uy,  I  wonder  why  she  tlirew  over 
Hsathrrland  ?     it  was  not  like  Paulin*:? 

Before  Czoy  ccald  s|>eak,  the  door  opened  and  Paulina 
Lisle's  father  i(ood  before  them.     Guy  sprang  erect. 

"  My  dear  of>lonel  I   Vmt\\crc !     1  thougid  vou  had  left  Eng- 
land ihi|i(eekaio.     N'otliingwrpng,  I  hopei*" 

For  Robert  Lisle  was  very  pale,  very  worn,  and  grave,. 

•*  Mrs.  Lisle  !— Paulina  !"  Guy  exclaimed  ;  ♦•  th^fy  are 
well,  Lionel?"  ;        ■  '^  ^ 

He  still  addressed  liim  by  the  familiar  title  that  had 
been  his  when  they  first  met.  \ 

"  PauUna  is  ill— very  fll.     I  knew  it  was  y\>ur  last  day 
.  in  London,  and  I  called  to  tell  you.     Your  people  sfid  I 
would  find  you  here." 

Allan  Fane  dropped  his  briish,  and  turned  verv  pale. 
Guy  f  rowned-^what  he  felt,  his  da^k  face  showing  tu-Mfu— 

"Very  ill,*'  hft  repeated,  slowly  i  **  how  long  V  < 

**  She  was  taken  ill  on  the  night  you  left  us  It  is  brain 
ItyfTr    ^^\p  bad  a  (erribli  6bock-^tt)Q  revelation  of  t^f 


i/\ 


¥ 


S96 


-i'o*  A  troMif/if^siJsAjniy 


^i 


drijMi  of  m  dear  friend,  and  this,  couoled  Vitn  expoiure  ic  dain. 
M»«i  prtvion.  .L-heaJth,  brought  about  this  resuU.  She  has  bee. 
deLrlous  ever  sir.ce-,he  is  vo  stilL  What  the  end  will  be 
lleayen  only  knows."  s  lu  win    m 

He  malked  away  to  the  window.     Dead  silence  fell, 
bioken  by  a  Up  at  the  door,  and  the  entrance  of  a 
a  Card. 

■  "  Insiiectcr  Bumham,  of  the  Metropolitan  PoliJ 
Fane    alouu.     '  U'hothc  deuce  u  Insiiccti^  Hi» 
vhat  diws  he  want  here  f  "  f  l^^Sf 

Robert  l.ifile  whcele  I  round  from  the  wiMPvith  a  Anram^ 
expression.  "^  wiui  a  Karuefl 

"  He  says  his  buKoes's  is  with  Mr.  Earlscourt,  iir."  the  inaa 
anawered,  "  and  is  n>08t  pressing "  '  ^^ 

^  Kai  c  looker*  Joubtftilly  at  his  friend. 

looV-  ?"bu[  nri^'i^'  ^^i'''^'''"  ^'"y  "'^  *""'*""8  that 
^k^.^    but  1  U  sec  hun  all  the  san.c.  with  your  pen-Tssion, 

t,.\^\  Run.nam  appeared  on  »he  instant     He  bowed  respi^rt- 
mlly  to  Lisle  and  atldressed  (Iqy.  •  "^ai^i 

"la^cUeve,;-    ln>pector  Bumham  began,  poUtely,    "I    am 
'Pmnng  to  the  Honorable  Guy  liarlscouri  ?  " 
Guy  ruMlded.  "  '     • 

"I  have  been  informed,. Mr.   Earlscourt,  tha*  it  is  yoo.   ir 
tention  to  sail  to-morrow  for  New  York.     Is  it  true  ?" 

••  It  IS  quite  true,"  answered  Guy.     "May  1  ask,  in  turn 
.  how  my  departure  can  iwhsibly  concern  ><»«/•• 

"  Indtd^An'd  whjf;'"""^-""^  "  ™"^^  ^  ^'^^^'"  - 

nau/;h""'"*''*'"u^'*""^  *^  '^^)  ^''^^^  "^'o  had  grown  even  ' 
Tstep  nearer''     "  ''"''*""'  ~'^*''^  apologettcafly,  and  drew 

musttJIt.done."     He    au IrMifiMBMii  I  I     i    '^-^"-     ''>?7*»^"* 

Guy-nhc^idc-.  "  M  rmmSm1u^^!t^Wn^T^  k"^' 

»#  k^.^..  J        .     wBSHBP^^w'^*  arrest  you  on  the  charee 

of  having  caused,  <T  been  pt^  to,  the  death  of  Alice  Warrel 
on  the  inormngof  Christmas  eve,  i86a.  Mr.  Guy  Jfiai  jcouitl 
•ir,  you  oiiist  consider  voiu^lf  my  p!'soncr." 

'There  was  an  exclamation  from  Al.an  Pane— a deepenine 
of  the  gray  pallor  upon  Kobert  Lislc's  fare.     For  Guv  he 
^shook  off  the  hand^fthetierective,^dsToo(l  looking  at  him  ~ 
—cnly  one  expression  in  his  eyes,  an  expression  of  utttr 


••  1  he  death  of  Alice  \Varren  !"  he  exclaimed.    «*You 
mean  to  tcUwctlwt  Alice  Warren  is  dead  r 


i 

•iL 


fv 


%•    1 


>••#»*  A  mcMAj^s  SAn 


.     evHZ''    '"^^^  ""«*"«^  »»  the  moming  of  Chnt^p., 

"Murdered | "  he  repeated  the  horHble  wordTstarin.  «  ib.'^ 
officer  inechamcally.     "(;reai  Htvvcn  I"  *  _ 

Hi8  thoughts  flew  to  his  brother,  and  at  the  ai^il  f-i..IWlJ.*: 
Out. uggested  itself  h« 
A.  ce  V\arren  murdered.     He  ren«,„beted  her  as  he  hJ\Z 

-  mJj;J['S'*'r'  *"f  ^l^"*^  in  *  wild  uinter  storm-^e^ 
.  mcwberVd  the  look  his  brother's  face  had  worn  a  f«.  h..  !^ 
.later  when  he  had  snok,?n  of  her      Who  Wh?  i^     ,      ^  J  ^ 
interest  in  h».r  H-o,K  >     i'  w no  mil  iUontaiien  had  a«' 

VI^Za  ;^%,<^  '«"f«^-^»«  »  the   cdnsciousness^f  guilt,  h« 

forS'a^r  "^^  '^'''"''''  ^^''^  ''^*^'  ^°^^  '-^'^  ^'^  •»«tay 
'      whl.f  »T  u''"  ^* '*'*^     "^'^^''abouttotellyouofthis.Cui 

Ouy  grasjietl  his  hand 

JouTi  Su  r^L  "I'**"  **"'  .Pre|H>sicrou,  chiuge  againM 

it^  forward 


™i  of  Mr.  Bunihani's  astuteness 


V«..  —-II         -"lutcncss  Dinging  itfiMirard  at  all- 

Vo-^pmve  an  a/«*,  at  once.     Cai^  your^Sbi^ll 
Chwn-M  eve,  «a  year,  ago-the  rcry  tiLi,  w»a  itV^ 


„:^i!^.,iK^ 


t* 


**P0^  A    iVOMilN'S  SAJT^J* 


l\ 


i 


foo  left'  Kngland  ?  1  ry  ami  recollect  where  and  with  whoa 
rou  were  on  Christniaa  eve,  between  ♦he  hours  o!  eid.t  axU 
nine."  ^ 

Robett  Lille  laid  his  hiind  affectionarely  on  the  young  man's 
•hfluldfT,  and  looked  into  his  faw  •  wX  the  who  e  truth  buist 
tipon  f  Juy. 

On  Chrtsimas  a'e,  1862,  between  the  hours  of  eight  and  nint 
to  iUange  marriage  had  taken  place  1 

WKat  smgular  fatality  was  this  I  A  dark -red  flush  rose  up 
avei  his  olive  face,  then  faded  slowly  and  entirely  away.  He 
was  very  pale,  but  perf-ctly  calm,  as  he  turned  to  the  detec- 
are 

"  Have  you  a  cab,  Mr.  Bumham  ?  I  am  quite  at  your  se» 
nee.  An  absurd  mistake  this,  colonel ! "  turning,  with  a^srai^e, 
to  lisle,  and  holding  out  his  h^nd,  "which  will  |)osti)one  my 
journey  to  New  York.  Farewell,  for  the  present  I  '  Let  us 
hope  a  few  days  will  set  this  ridiculous  error  right  I  " 

"  But,  good  Heaven,  (luy  I "  burst  forth  the  artist,  "you  can 
surely  disprove  this  monsh^ous  change  at  once  !,  Make  an 
effort— you  certainly  must  remember  what  you  were  doing,  and 
\.ith  whom  you  were  on  Christmas  eve  at  that  hour." 

"  I  remember  very  distinctly  what  1  was  doing,  and  with 
»hom  I  was,"  (;uy  said,  coolly.  "I  do  not  see  ht,  howerer, 
lust  at  present,  to  take  Mr.  Bumham  into  my  confidence.  1 
am  quite  ready  to  go  with  him  at  any  moment." 

"And  when  the  time  comes— in  a  few  hours,  or  days — you 
vnll  prove  an  iilihi,  and  overthrow  this  preposterous  charge?" 
I  lisle  demanded,  in  intense  anxiety. 

Guy  looked  at  him  with  a  smile— a  smile  that  seemed  to 
hav^  some  strange,  hidden  meaning  in  its  depth. 

"And  if  I  cannot  prove  an  a/idt—\f  1  cannot,  or  will  not,  re- 
Teal  where  and  with  whom  1  was  on  that  day  and  at  that  hour, 
fill  you  believe  me  guilty,  colonel  ?" 

*  Never  I  ••  answered  Robert  Lisle,  firmly.  "But  you  do 
jOt  mean  this,  Guy  ?  " 

V  I  mean  it     TTiis  charge  must,  and  will,  doubtless,  fall  t» 
Ae  ground  of  itself;  but,  come  what  may,  it  is  owt  of  my 
power  to  prove  an  aMi.     Good-by,  for  the  present  1     The  in 
^est,  no  doubt,  will  set  this  disagreeable  business  aU  ngnt' 

/*^  T**  gOPcMcjre^theyL  could   si>eak— Mr.    Bumhutfl^ 
giikmer.     He  sat  bacE  in  the  carriage,  his  hand  preMcd  ov« 

**Cmi  wis/  tnajf  /liniHee^  my  Mii  f 


:^,.,. 


:^:^.-'Mnjhai^^^. 


fffS  VERDICT  OF  THE  COkONEH'S  JURY.  39^ 

He  remembered  the  words  well,  and  to  whom  they  were 
Spoken.  Come  what  might,  the  secret  of  that  Christmas  eve 
never  could,  never  would,  be  revealed. 


\. 


CHAPTER  VU. 


TBI  vnnicT  OF  m  coitoirKm't  jmr. 


do 


|T  was  late  in  the  evening  of  that  same  day^-the  dajp 
of  Guy  E^rlscourt's  arrest.  The  prisoner  was  not 
alone — Robert  Lisle  paced  up  and  down  the  narrow 
bounds  of  the  apartment,  looking  much  as  a  caged 
Eon  might,  with  his  powerful  cavalry  swing.  He  was  speakmg 
impatienily,  almost  ai.grily : 

"  And  you  persist  in  refusing  to  tell  where  you  were  on  the 
^ming  <if  Christmas  eve,  between  eight  and  nine.  Guy,  this 
«  folly,  this  is  madness  t " 

Guy  looked  at  him  with  his  peculiar,  gentle  smile,  quite  un- 
moved, apfiarently,  by  his  very  unpleasant  position.  They  had 
l^'ven  him  a  room  as  comfortable  as  it  is  possible  for  any  room 
Ox  a  London  prison  to  be  the  last  week  of  July.  He  had  con- 
verted the  bed  into  an  easy  chair,  and  looked  ({uite  comfortable. 

**  My  dear  colonel,  how  often  must  1  tell  you,  with  every  de- 
sire to  ^manifest  my  innocence,  an  alibi  is  the  one  thing  it  is 
wx  of  my  power  to  prove?  Between  the  hours  of  eight  and 
nine,  or  the  morning  of  Christmas  eve,  I  belia<e  I  was  driving 
about  the  streets  of  London  in  a  cab,  whose  number  I  am  to 
tally  ignorant  of.  It  was  the  day  of  my  departure,  remember, 
ind  1  had  no  end  of  business  sn  hano.  Don't  distiess  your- 
•  lelf  on  my  account,  1  beg ;  the  chain  of  circumsUr  Sal  evidence 
which  Inspector  Burnham  has  forged  may  seem  veiy  string  tq 
lns|4ector  Uumham.  even  perhaps  to  a  coroner's  jury ;  but  il 
won't  stand  the  test  of  the  grand  jury.  At  the  very  worst, 
>iloth<r  worst  come,  it  will  onty^be  a  cnmmitad  to  prisroi  fer 
i  few  months.  A  splendid  opportunit)'  for  quiet  meditatioi^ 
ind  the  writing  of  anothei  popular  novel," 

l4ate  ftuvntl 


\ ;.' 


\^ 


406      TMB  rSMDTCT  OF  rSR   COROffEIPS  JUItY. 

J'kn  opportunity  tliat  mU  effectually  blight  your  reimtaior 
rum  your  prospects  for  life."  ^      ^       'epuiai  oc, 

Uu"  "??ta!  "I'"'''   u''  *"•  '^*^g^e^^l>'e.  nots  Jonb,  af;o«1 

Sm?:^      a^^  *V    *"*'^"'*   ^*^^'/  attainable  in   NewM.e    1 

suppose,  during  the  ...onths  of  Au>ust  and  SeineinbTr      n„ 

I  my  notonety  wfll  scarcely  waft  acn.L  the  Atlar  c     and  I  « 

••Colonel!" 

.J'JJ?'!  "  ^*  ''°'°*"  *'*'°  "  *»  ^e  bottom  of  this  ?     Whom 
•W  you  trying  to  scrceu  ? "  ,.  ^^ 

Guy  laugl)e<L  ^^^ 

nj;^  *'"'''""'•;'  ^^  »^'^'  "y*'"  K°  ''"  ^5°  for  S  c-nicaUdea 
^ikfnr  7L^"  :  H  """  t'  ''^  bottuu.  Vf  all  the  LuJle  of 
mankind.  1  have  told  you  the  truth.  1  was  driviuK  about  the 
London  streets  in  a  hansou.  at  that  fateful  hour  on  Clu."  ,1 
eve.     Why  won't  you  bcl/eve  me  f "  v-"nsiiua» 

«nswer^d'':::,lat:V'"^  """^  °"^"  ''" 

iuLk.i.         **~"uicijr.        1  oeiieve  that  suiite  nuixotic  mere  •. 

fobhiO^  generosity  will  be  your  ruin.     A  nun's  first  duni   are' 

GJd  and  his  country,  the  second  to  himself.     \'ou  could  te.l 

rlrSkitr*  ''"'r'''  *"""''  y""  -'«  between  eihlno 
Dine  on  that  njornuig,  but— you  will  not." 

and  deaA^^^*'^  ^^^"^  ^'""'  ''">"'  f^""*  '°">^  of'strer,gth 
DUlty  the  chler  man  had  never  seen  there  before. 

penahv      l^^C  ^^  '''''*''^  ^^^'-^ '  """»  '^  d«^»'h  were  ihc 
5fo^  ^^'     I  ^"'  "^  "°  "'°'^  o"  this  matter,  my  friend-  -aS 

£    .^n    .       •  '^  ^""  ''•'«  "  better.     Come  what  uiav  vo.i   I 
bust,  will  always  believe  me  innocent  ?  "  ^'  ^  "'  * 

"Always,  toUieetd!" 

man^l!"*"^  "****  f"""'.^^'  "'"•^"'^  '^'  vain-fidelity  to  some  one 

£L  plr^    i  '^  ri* ''  ""  '""'*  *'*''*  t^^^^^y^d  that  trist  maJ 
•toe.  Earlscourts  of  old.  who  had  gone  to  the  scaPohL  .«..W 

tov,«yed  their  heads  hy  the  betrf vai  of  r4t  k^^**^  "''"^^ 

The  iDquest  beganjoiLrhe  ,.,urr6w.     The  new!  luuJ  apieai 


anthor,   ' 


ujiniense    crowd    had    «athcr»?d     A 


b-oiher  of  a  j)eer,  was  to  be  in«d>i 


•  vilLge  guL     The  sensador 


wu  inuaeiue; 


ceiebtatetf 
uiunkr 


.5.,'- 


,i,i 


Ssl^'y^J-'s^vV 


Whooi 


nm  rMMitfcr  of  the  coRoifatrs  yvMit,    401 

Unntani  Siinvl/^ra,  the  seaman,  was  the  first  witn«^8s  called '. 
ind  Willum  haunders  told  his  story  to  the  coroner  and  his  |urr 
with  z.  quiet  simplicity  and  straightforwardness  no  cross-quet' 
tioniBg  could  s^iake.  He  swore  positively  to  the  day  and  di*' 
hour,  to  the  verv  nioin»'i)t,  alrnost,  at  which  the  deed  had  beer 
lone  ;  and  te:>tihed  to  his  r^urn  with  Mr.  Lisle  and  the  detec 
i»ft  3fficer,  ard  the  finding  of  the  remains. 

The  secuhd  witness  was  Robert  Lisle,  who  narrated  the.ar- 
iral,  four  days  before,  of  the  sailor,  at  his  residence  in  Speck- 
ijtven — their  visit  to  London  and  to  Inspector  Bumham  nexf 
Jay — their  going  together  to  liattersea,  and  finding  the  sknD 
and  bones  in  the  cave.  Those  remains  there  present  bcinf 
exhibited  and  identihed  by  him,  Mr.  Lisle  stood  down. 

Messrs.  Burnhani  and  Tinimins^'were  called  upon,  and  gave 
their  otficial  evidence—  identitied  the  remains  found^  at  Bat 
tersea. 

The  next  witness  (and  at  the  sound  of  his  name  a  buzz  of 
expectation  and  interest  ran  throueh  the  court>room)  wai 
Mathew  Warren.  The  crowd  leaned  forward  to  (Ook  at  him 
with  eager  interest  Kale  and  upnght,  white-haired  and  stern, 
ihe  <«ld  haihtf  advanced  and  took  his  piace. 

AiJ-5  Warren  was  his  <iaughter— hi* -nly  daughter.  SH  ""^ 
CTrenty  years  .".nd  seven  months  old  when  the  had  left  her  home, 
ft  would  be  six  years  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  September  nex! 
since  ht,  Aad  seen  her  last  >  On  the  evening  of  the  twantjr  , 
seventh,  without  a  word  of  warning  or  farewell,  she  had  left  he* 
tioiiic,  and  hail  never  written  or  returned  since.  He  had  made 
no  tntjuines  about  her — had  nevei  tried  to  find  her — would 
have  discarded  her  had  she  attempted  to  return,  ^iton? 
VeS:  she  had  had  many  suitors — more  than  he  likedl  Flinty 
—loose  ir.  Ser  ways?  No,  not  that  he  had  ever  noticed  or 
(<eard ;  she  wa.«  generally  thought  a  sensible  girl,  rather  than 
otherwise  Yes,  she  had  lovers  in  her  own  class  of  life— sho 
ru  as  good  as  engaged  to  Peter  Jenkins,  of  the  Mill,  not  out 
\Ti\  out  but  they  had  been  keeping  company  four  yea:*^ 
GeD  tlcinen  ?  Welt  yes-  there  had  been  gentlemen,  too ;  aO 
the  grrtNnien  stopping  at  the  Pnory  that  year  used  to  visit  hii 
cottage,  except  one.  Who  was  the  exception  ?  \Vhy,  Mr. 
Mian  Kan^;,  of  course,  who  was  a  manied  man,  and  had  no 
business  runninR  g^er  youn^  woineti.  The  rest  Were  ail  un- 
ma  **»?'  Vefc,  ne  lcr><-w  then  names  knew^them  all  They 
ireix.  (^rd  MontaliK.  <<>s  brother,  Mr.  GuyEUrltcoort,  Caf 
%M  \W^^  *^^  ^  ^<^  CKirdpfi  Qi  the  Guarda»  iH)d  9  Mr 


■R' 


:i 


^^tT^i^X^^A.  ».^  V. 


S^JteA'A'  ,^it^-<- 


r* 


402        7WS  JTBRDICT  OF  TSE  COSOirElfS  JVRV. 
hoT/'"  W=!f  "hf  •    ^°^  °""'  *<•  "'"^  gentlemen  visit  hi, 

d-flferent  tmes  ;  couldn't  say  which  cameoftener-  thef neveJ 
Not  .0  often  i^S   ^g^"]^  \fX^i:Z^r  t^^ 

as  they  chose.  It  ^l,  ont  yea  ^entl  rn^hTbe^n 
i3  "' ^,  ?''°;y'  ^"^  '^^^h  Lo'rd^Montihen  Tnd  Mr  Earls 
court  visited  his  family  whenever  there.  Alice  seemed  to  it 
them  both;  she  talked  most  of  Mr.  Gu^  hehoimht  <;h^H  i 
dark-brown  hair,  braided  generally  ifehind  'fa  V  shovel 
Yes  ;  her  hair  looked  like  that,  only^darker  and  glossier      ha 

The  loct'tV^v'"'^-.  ^f"'  ^^'"^"^^^^  *he  dofies  he  worf 
W  K  AT-  •  ^^f  '  ^^^  ^^'■e  a  locket  around  her  neck  Jiven 
her  by  Miss  Paul.ne  L.sle  before  going  to  France      ft^on 


Alice  "   engraven  on   the 


case.     Yes;  that  was  the  locket. 


i^ouldn  t  swear  posii.vely  to  it 

No   .ho  T/'^  If"''^  ^^  """''  ^o""  a  rest  out  of  the  sun 

dft^n  L    Mr  ^tJ""^  "^'"5  "f  '"^--^  ^•^'*"  ^"^  «'^ers,  not  ^ 


^yrm  9m<f  mw ;  so  <<iu 


<  ind  Gordon,     j.i.  Ctedma»< 


; 


FrfM:S"l,!li   ^    R^wS''  Vt".  1^ 


■  -J^^^Ui^ii.;  -Si^-u^  *ir  ■ 


; 


l»^»J^'.'!ftS^ilT&r^-^,:,  . 


rmt  vRmotcT  or  the  coxoysjrs  jumy.    40] 

«»er  stayed  long,  none  of  them  ever  made  love  to  her  daaghtei 

liuit  she  heard.     She  and  Mr.  Ouy  used  to  talk  of  Miss  Lisle 

oiostiy,  then  in  France,  and  Alice  used  to  show  him  all  rauiina'i 

letters.     She  never  showed  any  preference  for  the  society  of  anf 

one  above  another,  except  maybe  Mr.  Stedman,  whom  sh«»  di4 

not  like.     |iad  heard  her  say  she  did  nor  like  him,  an^   'sed 

fo  hide  upstairs  occasionally  when  he  cam'e.  ^  Never  hi4  from 

vr\y  of  the  others.     Might  have  had  a  secret  pi eference— used  to 

think  so,  but  could  .lot  tell  for  which.     Was  absent  soifietimcf 

taking  walks — thL»«:ght  it  might  be  with  some  of  the  ger 

bat  couldn't  tell  fc>r  certain.     Had  asked  Alice,  but  Her 

ter  only  laughed,  and  \yk)S  told  her  nothing.     Had  not| 

night  previous  t6  herHight  that  she  had  returned  laf 

usual  from  walking — noticed  something  odd  in  her  ms 

n»*xi  day.      Had  seen  her  when  she  left  home  in  the  *\ 

thought  she  was  going  to  S|>eckhaveh  for  something 

often  wentj  ana  had  taken  no  notice.     Alice  had  kii 

before  she  left 

The  witness  here  became  so  agitated  that  it  was  sdime  time 
before  she  onuld  go  on.  Knew  what  she  wore  verv  well — it 
was  a  dark-brnwn  merino  dress,  a  white-and-blue  shawl  a  lylack 
straw  hat,  trimmed  with  a  blue  ribbon,  Ind  a  blackjlace  veiL 
She  had  a  bag  in  her  hand,  and  believed  she  must  halve  taken 
in  that  bag  a  second  dress,  a  blue-and- white  plaid,  heir  Sunday 
best.  Would  know  the  latter  again  if  iJie  saw  it.  (Pieces  of 
dress  shown.)  Yes,  (greatly  agitated,)  this  was  the  sajiue,  f^ded 
and  dirty,  but  the  same  pattern  and  material.  ( Kraglnents  of 
shawl  produced,  and  identihed  iinmerliately.  Hair  shdLm. )  Thai 
was  the  color  of  ^er  daughter's  hair,  but  brighter,  and  that  was  its 
length,  and  the  way  she  wore  it  braided.  (Identified  Ihe  locket 
riie  note  to  Miss  1  .isle  was  shown.)  Yes,  that  was  her paughter'a 
handwriting:^  Were  there  any  distinguishing  marks  laboqt  het 
laughter's  teeth  ?  she  was  asked  by  fhe  coroner.  Yes  ;  Alice 
lad  very  nice  white  teeth,  but  one  of  the  front  ones  slightlj 
jvcrlapped  and  was  longer  than  the  other,  and.  tha  eye-tooth 
on  the  right  side  had  been  extracted  (The  skull  wis  covered 
with  a  cloth,  and  the  ^eeth  exhibited.)  Yes,  thos(  were  like 
Alice's— fhere  was  the  bverlapping  front  tooth  tlu  re  the  eye- 
tooth  extracted  \ 

Mrs.  Warren  began  to  Veep  to  wfldly  tfut  die  wa  i  pcwnitte^ 
le  iiax^dowA.  '       \ 

John  Snuth  ▼••  next  called    John  Smith  wm  a  lulwaf  oA 


«ai-«  gpwd    Ob  tiM  ev«owg  <il  the  f  7tii  of  Sep  cnbci  --llf 


'  «-i.4wS(_„,.,''llHf"', 


>Si^^l 


-\ 


f'VfV 


104      ^''^   ^^DICT  np  THM  COROftBirS  JUKY. 

remembered  it  v#^  w,ll,  /om  the  talk  af.emard  about  ttv 

^ng   woman's   fl.sht-tj4    only    L„,ulon    paiengerTfiSi 

Specchaven  had  been  MyTony  Karlsciurt,  thl.  p„3er  and^ 

SL  il      2  '°  ^"^^  H*'  °'  *°"'»  f«  that  effect.  a-hJ 
tan  was  about  to  siartJand  had  neard  hi.n  distinctly   "uLk 

^S^^r*^      ^"  T^'  ^^'^'•"     ^'»^*"y  had  men  entered  I 
about  U,e  won.an,  and/watched  then,  when   u.e   ram  reS 

btoa  r";K      hT  H'  "^•^^"   *'  "'8''«  ^hen.     They  h;^  g^ 
into  a  cab  and  driven  ^way  at  once  together.  "^ 

•    rioUmlv"*^'!!',  *f""T^'  '^"^  "*^'"  ^"  ^^"^•^^  »he  witness-box, 
nolenty  agitated  andf  .p  tears.     Mrs.   Howe  was  grt^atly  in- 

cUned  to  irrelevant  njarter.  and  was  kept  w,ih  d.tficSl.y   I  the 

pomt    Condens^a   nfr  evidence  told  dead  against  the  p!2 

at^lLdt^n^'.'''''''^^''^-  "n<^'"<^"ot  know  his  name- 

o^l^  rSr^'  *^.^*'^"-^  ^"K'^f^-i  ^he  two  best  roon.s,  *S 
parlor  ^n.<  bedroom  they  were,  for  a  party  fron'.  the  countn; 
co..u»vnp  that  mgfft.  Reniembered  the  date,  bLca^r^sS 
party  was^iady,  he  toUl  her,  coinmg  up  to  be  mar"-*—*  ,« 
'i^n.?  '"*'^'i  About  twelve  o'clock  that  mght  a  lad^  and 
pentl«„,an  drove  up  in  a  cab,  and  the  gentleman  a  ked  ff  a 
fedy  from  the  country  wasn't  ex,H.cted.     They  came  m      -hj 

fSLT'Lt  fTn'-^T'^cw"'^"""  ^^^^^  *  blue-an<l-wh.te  sluw' 
a  black  hat  and  yeiL     She  was  middle-sized,  plunu>  and  verl  ' 

Zl«^J^^^  u-  t*"  ««"»'e«"a"  *as  the  pnsoner,  could 
iwear  to  it,  knew  him  the  minute  she  set  eyes  uiH>n  hit^  I  Je 
•ttyed  only  a  few  minutes,  .an  down  stairsf  and  'then  ra^  bacl 

Sll?.h?^.  r'ri^"8  '"^"^  ^'^^"'^  hear  .what  ias  ^d 
Thinks  she  asked  the  young ^oman  if  that  was  the  gemlemac 
^1^  going  to  marry,  but  knows  she  wasn't  told,  ku  Z^ 
m*n  called  next  niorning  Next  evening  ^t  six  o'clock  a^ 
drove  u^.  and  some  one  ente^  the  huuiS.  Kar  u  .  from  Se 
kitehen  in  time  to  see  a  n.an  handing  her  lotlger  uitL  the  cab 
^UiL'"^*;/"^"JS  *"•'  !?^  ^"""^      <ientleman  came  b^k 


«WTO^  him.     Fvery  day.  for  rwo  weeks,  he  canie  cve« 
fvowni,  rowumng  until  the  foUowmg  day.  but  alw^,  cor^^ 


-->*v 


i^M^^.. 


•It 


Ttn  VBXDICT  OF  TWM  COHONElfS  JUttY,      40] 

*o  »»tc,  ard  departing  »o  early  iliat  she  didn't  see  him.     He 
had  a  Utcn  key,  and  let  himself  in.     Her  lodger  called  heiie If 
Mrg.  Brown.     She  told  her,  her  husband  was  a  gentleman,  ani) 
that  she  had  run  away  from  home.     She  wore  a  w.ed.linf  rinfc 
and  a  locket  and  a  chain  round  her  neck.     Yes,  that  was  thf 
tocket.     She  had  but  two  ilresses,  the  brown  mermo,  a  I  lue> 
and  white  plaid— very  nice.     She  never  got  any  new  tnii<«  " 
while  at  her  house.     Yes,  this  hair  lot.ked  like  Mrs.  Brown* 
Had  noticed  the  irregularity  of  the  teeth— U.ose  shown  weit 
precisely  l.ke.    After  the  first  fortnight,  Mrs.  Hrowns  .husbamlj 
visits  giew  less  and  less  frequent— he  was  absent  lof  davs  la 
|ether— when  he  did  come  he  never  remaineil  more   :har  an 
Aour  or  two.     Mrs.  Brown  began  to  grow  pale  and  uiin.  and 
she  had  ofler.  caught  her  crymg.     0„  t*o  or  three  occasions 
sh.- had  caught  sight  of  Mr.  Brown,  but  he  always  had  hi.  fare 
muffled  up,  and  his  hat  pulled  over  his  eyes,  so  that  she  nevei 
got  a  g.KKJ  look  at  him.     And  he  always  came  about  dusk     It 
niight  bf  the  same  she  saw  the  first  night  or  it  might  not     The 
height  and  the  sha|K;  were  alike.     She  wouldn't  swear  either 
way^     Seldom  heard  him  si)eak.     On  one  Occasion,  some  time 
^  .ti  Novembt-r,  she  thought,  on  hel^  returri  from   market  one 
Afternoon,  her  hired  girl,  Sarah  Ann,  had  ihformed  her  that  % 

'  L  i  .  f  ^'  '"'''^*'^  «'*"*  ^^^  ^•^"  '^'^'•^  I"  s^e  Mrs.  Brown,  and 
had  left  her  a  bunch  of  rose^      He  stayed  about  an  hour     The 
next  aflenioon,  just  at  dark,  Mr.  Brown  came.     He  and  Mrs. 
Brown  had  a  quanel  on  that  occasion— Mrs.  Brown  had  cried, 
and  he  had  scolded.     Had  not  listened— had  n-t  heard  any 
thing  that  passed.     Mr.  Brown  came  out  after  naif  an  hour, 
called  her  to  him  in  ♦ie  passage,  paid  the  bill,  and  told  hei 
Mrs.  Blown  was  going  lo  '.cave  next  day.     He  was  muffled 
as  usiulj  ana  the  passage  was  so  dark  she  could  not  have  re 
cognued  a  feature  had  he  been  ummiffled.     A  cab  had  com* 
and  Mrs.  Brown  hatl  gone  next  morning.     She  cned  when  ihc 
left,  and  looked  ven'  paJe  and  wretched     She  had  never  leen 
her  nor  Mr.  Brown  from  rhat  day  to  this." 
^KUcn    Young  was  next   called      Ellen  Young  was    about 
twenty-three  years  of  age,  and  gave  her  evidence  clearly  and 
totelltgently.     She  was   the  daughter  of  Mrs.    Sarah   Youn«, 
Ixxtong  house  keejw.  Barton  Street,  Strand.     Her  mother  wai 
r«>  111— dying,  she  thought,  and  quite  unable  ^  give  ev'drnce 
^Afioit  sw  years  ago^  troine  nelt^Nuvember:~a^man  had  tailed     ~" 
«  their  house,  and  taken  lodgings  for  a  lady,  a  Mib.  Brwwa     J 
nd  not  se«  hun  myseM;  eiiuer  ihen»  or  at  any  other  tupCf  uct^ 


■-siwiiig;;', 


NsisSjfci 


M*UAj4i<»At^  '^i 


t - 


i 
■'I 


once  and  should  not  knew  hini  a^  ^,     Mother  came  down  M 
the  kitchett  and  f^ld  me  ai»ur  it;  she  daid  he  looked  tike  a 
gentieman—did  nut  describe  hini.     Mrs.  Hrown  came  next  da) 
—didn't  remember  what  she  wore—a  dark  dress,  1  ihmk.     Shr 
wai  pale  and  *ickly  lookmg,  but  pretty.  '   Lhe   came  alone 
1  he  gentleman  came  again  next  da/— mothei  told  me  when  ) 
came  home  from  school,  that  another   hxlger   had   died    tka' 
ifternoon,  and  that  Mrs.  Brown's  gentleman  had  stayed  H-itt 
Mm,  and   written  down  a  confession  he  had  made.     1  don'i 
mink   he.  came  any  more  untU   near   Christni5^?-.if  he   hac 
mother  would  have  told  me.     1  saw  Mrs.  Brown  often  dunna 
that  time.     She  seemed  very  miserable— had  uouW**  on  he* 
mind,  and  cned  nearl.   aU  tnetmie.     No  one  ever  ca.hc  to  aeft 
her,  and  she  hardly  ever  stirred  out     One   evening,  it  wan 
vhnstmas  week  1  know,  I  saw  her  dress  herself  and  gc  jut 
It  wai  near  dark,  and   snowing  hard.     Two   hour*  after  she 
»me  home  in  .a  cab,  in  a  sort  of  famt  or  fit.     The  cabman  had 
o  carry  her  upstairs  and  lay  her  on  the  bed.     He  tf-d  nio^iei 
And  me  a  man  had  stopped  him  in  St  James  Street  ai.d  put  her 
in.  and  told  him  where  to  drive  her.     She  was  very  bad  foi 
two  days,  then  she  was  wr  11  enough  to  get  up.     On  the  nighl 
•efore  Christmas  eve,  mother  came  down  to  the  kitchen,  where 
I  was  picking  raisins,  and  says:  "  Pllen,  Mrs.  Brown's  gentle 
^an  has  been  and  gone,  and  she's  paid  her  bUl  at  Ust,  and  k 
>mg  to-morrow."     1  saw  Mrs.  Brown  very  early  next  day,  and 
*e  seemed  happier  and  better  than  1  had  ever  tnown  her. 
one  said  to  me : 

"  I'm  going  away,  EUen,— home  to  the  country,  az.d  to  m% 
fiiends.      My  darling    husband  is  coming  for  me  at  eight 
orclock.       It  was  snowing  fasi,« and  very  cold,  and  mother  told 
we   was  too  poorly  dad  to  face  the  stonn.     Slie  only 
auglied,and  said  she  would  soon  be  beyond  feeling  cold.     She 
wotK  a  blue-and-whitc   plaid  summer  dress,  a  blue-and-white 
lunimei  shawL     Yea,  those  are  fragments  of  both— 1  Un  sweat 
lo  them.    She  had  en  a  straw  hat  and  a  veil     At  eight  o'docUt 
m  « jninutc  or  two  before  it,  a  wason  for  two  persons  drove  up 
tc  the  door.     A  man  was  sitting  in  it,  with  a  muffler  covenng 
«L  the  lower  part  of  his  face,  and  a  fur  cap  puUed  away  doiro 
over  his  eyes.     Mrs.  Brown  gave  a  cry  of  joy,  and  ran  oat  of 
the  room,  and  down  to  him  at  once.     1  saw  him  help  her  in. 
,^^dnye  away.    The  docks  weic&tnking  eight  aa  I  »<nt  Awwh 
10  tte  kitchen  to  help  get  breakfast    That  ia  aU  1  kiio» 
MHi  Young  identified  the  lodcet,  the  hair,  the  |Wftkn«  «» 


\ 


isdt^ts^ji^ 


i-^J^ii,  ^ifev. 


I  '^It    ^'    E  s^l^^i  i«t^*4 


^MOW  MttDB  BQW^p  AirD  fMtU' 


407 


liess,  and  wth  the  last  witness  but  one  called  by  the  xifooia. 
Her  mother  was  too  ill  to  appear. 

Dr.  I^onard  Williams  gave  his  medical  testintonjr  ««  tig 
die  mannsr  of  death.  He  had  examined  the  skuU  and  fuund  «i 
circulxr  ai)ertu*-e  in  the  left  teni])le.  On  measuring  it,  it  prOVtsd 
to  be  five  sixteenths  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  It  was  his  opin 
ion  tlie  circular  aperture  in  the  skull  was  made  by  a  pistol  ball 
•H  vrry  small  size,  lie  had  no  doubt  the  i>erson  to  whom  that 
ikuli  belonged  had  been  shot  by  a  pistol  bullet  A  shot  ired 
into  th';  skull  at  that  place  would  cause  instant  death — tlie  per 
ion  would  die  from  the  shock  or  from  hemorrhage.  The  men- 
ingeal artery  had  been*  entirely  severed,  so  that  if  th^  woman 
had  not  been  instantly  killed  by  the  shock  she 'would  very 
speedily  have  died  uf  hemorrhage. 

The  triaJ  *nd  all  this  evidence  had  occupied  four  daysr  °  The 
coroner  told  the  jury  this  was  all  the  evidence  he  had  to  offer. 
It  was  their  duty  to  say  who  th^  P^rty  was  whose  remains  had 
been  found ;  if  she  came  to  her  death  by  foul  means ;  and  if  so, 
by  whose  hand  the  deed  was  done. 

The  jury  retired  and  were  absent  about  an  hour.  Dead  si- 
lence reigned  in  the  crowded  court-room  when  they  returned 
and  gave  their  verdict     It  was : 

"  That  the  remains  found  were  those  of  Alice  Warren,  and 
that  she  came  to  her  death  by  a  pistol  shot  fired  by  the  hand 
of  Guy  Eailscourt  on  the  twenty-fourrh  of  December,  1862." 

llie  coroner  then  made  out  his  warrant,  committing  Gtty 
Earlscourt  to  priton  for  safe  keeping  until  let  free  by  dm 
course  of  law. 


CHAPTER  VIIL 


N, 


M 


HOW  FRIDI  BOWCD  AM*  riLL. ' 


|T  was  the  afternoon  of  t"^  twepty-fint  of  Augnit — (in 
day  .preceding  that  u}K)n  which  Guy  Earlscourt  wm  n 
api/gar  at  the  pr^hminary  examination  before  a  I'OUOC 
oaijutrate,   previous  to    his  committal  to  stand  htt 
bial  for  the  wij^l  murder  of  Alice  Warren.     Jt  was  a  ven 
irwm  day — an  nU^  iely  warm  day  down  among  tk*  OKiifiewi 


/^*v 


f- 


446 


■"1  ■''^ , '^ntfT'  Ck;/'^'^. 


»lffl»M  BOWRh  Al/t>  /utrr^m 


^•^^     Tfe  atmosphere   oi    th^   pnson-room  wiS  Sflfn^ 


Guv',  lofttf  l..niJ. ^  y'  .  "T   F'nson-rooin  wa*  ctifliv 


■leiy    something    unprscedented.     I'.uy    Plarlsccnut  ^>./ 
Gaardsnian.  t  »e  wealri<>  ^„.i  ,     "'    r^ris^ourt,   the   ex 

written  a  jecoiKl  ••  niil^ei  •• .,,  ..Vk  ,  i'    .,     '.'•.  •■•«'l««'"l  had 
found  h„„*i, ^(^^,t  n^      h!^'^'  't',"'^"  '''  H  "■'«' 

would  be Vk™„l*^„,^;j^"«''^^  *"'«'  -"le  PuWic 

I.  »  no.  lien  ,o  «  0";?]?,^,  V-,    -"^^h^'r''"-"'"'''^, 
romance  of  real  lifr    ^  ..,a.     \^      wtnets  juLh  a  sen.s:iK>na^ 

i.  noTew^r,  leSTio  ''""•«"■'?. I«"  »>d  celebrated  a.itho, 
'call,  ^ISe^d  ho,  hifSfs  fefl'off"'"";"'"/*''''";     "'™' 

«wited  up  ,0  Krve  the  rA^  '  """  "" 

bi.  4""Hetl"'Jj:ifl'''\""  '^*™'"  ">  '■'"'"^  "d 


nTk  k^  ^^  ^*  inaomty  to  clear  K^MiselT     Ji»  inr 

mtb  baror  unutterable,  that  A«  J^>i^  ^a.  iTe^^cy  S^.^ 


^'^^%.^ 


Iio't  beie  to 
u  Rifling, 
—be  fa»J  jB 

oppresM 
ad  looked, 

worn,  and 

w^  abao 
t.  the  ex 
brother  •  oi 
a  |)easant 
was  some 
icite  even 

furgrmen 
ufies  wert 
called*  the 
^il  glancb 
ems,  too, 
,  and  hit 
3«»k3  were 
Uiurt  had   „ 
»ail  nnfver 
ulitmle  of 
■ay  of  the 
le  |>iii>lic 
idenined. 
n.sj:tional 
:d  author 
It  wat 
aiiajoly, 
of  jiojr, 
:he  dark 
Ml  Kane, 
isionate, 
■'  he  mat 
le  aevei 

;»  pipe 
ute  wai 

jer  and 
w   told 


••/Wir  i»ir/0«  BOITKE^  AND  WELL* 


409 


leiaJ^ 


•  Great  Heaven !  what  a  doubled)  id  villain  he  was,  to  luif 
away  an  innocent,  trusttng  girlj  a^d  then,  when  weary  of  her, 
Ir^diy  murder  her,  He  sicken^jj  i.  hen  he  thought  of  it  XjoA 
Montalien  had  not  been  present  at  tne  int^uest,  but  Guy  iinewiit 
war  one  of  the  new  witnesses  to  beeWhrtin^d  on  the  morrow. 

M>«t  feithful  of  ail  his  frieiids  and  visitors  had  been  Robert 
Lisle.  He  had  nevei  missed  a  day.  His  father,  h^  he  been 
ilivf,  could  scarc2iy  ha*e  felt  more  bitter  pain  for  (luy  tnaiiiKs 
£d  His  own  private  troubles  were  lessening — his  daughtei 
bng  ago  had  been  pronounced  out  of  danger — had  been  able 
to  sit  up  dunng  the  past  nine  days.  Hut  he  could  not  leave 
Englanti  while  his  yuung  friend's  fate  remained  undecided. 

He  was  with  huu  this  sultry  August  afternoon,  walking  slowly 
to  aid  fro,  always  his  wont  when  deeply  nioyed.  They  had 
been  talkmg  of  mthtferent  things — of  the  new  book  Guy  hao 
begim'm  prison — he  always  avoided  talking  W  his  trial,  il 
possible,  but  Lisle's  moody  brow  showed  t^at  his  thoughts  were 
of  u  now.  "  ,        ( 

••.1  ask  you  once  again,  Guy,  if  you  do  not  nieam  to  throw 
wide  this  mail  reticence,  and  vindicate  your  innocenc »:  as  you 
can— as  1  knou>  you  can  ?  You  have  engaged  excellent  .'H}unsel, 
but  wed""'t  want  his  eloquence — we  do  want  a  plain,  straight- 
^ni^rd  statement  of  facts,  as  regards  your  doings  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  twenty  foiTth  of  December.  When  an  accu^d  man 
refuses  to  account  for  his  conduct  with  a  strongs  primA-facu 
case  made  out  against  him,  the  law  is  justified  in  believing  that 
his  silence  arises  from  guilty  or  sinister  motives.  The  evidence 
against  you  is  purely  circumstantial  and  erroneous,  of  cour^ 
but  men  have  been  hanged  before  now  on  purely  circumsUMtcial 
and  erroneous  evidence."  ''\ 

'•  rhey  won't  hang  me,"  said  Guy,  slkking  up  his  pillows  so 
U  to  get  the  cool  tide  out ;  "  at  least,  1  hope  not.  The  cr'i'- 
ilence,  as  1  8a"d  before,  that  suffices  for  a  coroner  or  a  police 
aL'gistrate  won't  always  stand  the  test  of  a  grand  jury.  U  will 
!>«•  unpleasant  to  be  committed  to  Newgate  until  the  assizes, 
bd  t — well,^  the  world  is  full  of  unpleasant  things,  and  I  suppose 
1  aust  co'me  in  for  my  share.  An  alibi  1  cannot  prove — it  is, 
u  1  told  you  before,  simply  impossible.  If  I  am  cleared,  it 
n  «t  be  by  the  breaking  of  this  chain  of  evidence  they  have  so 
•1  tfully  wrought  against  me— not  by  any  revelation  of  my  own. 
T^  'n't  let  us  talk  about  it  any  more,  dear  Lisle ;  it's  muc^  too 


ho :  to  discuss  unpleasant  subjects. 
Il>  ^en  to-day  7 '' 


How  are  thi^aU  at  Speck* 


;   .1 


'    \ 


y 


r' 


410 


•*mOW  PMIDB  BOWED  AlTD  FMLL* 


Wht. 


*"  Much  as  usual." 
to  «.  whidi  she  fell  a  vic,i,„  before  vSm^T^  '*  '°T  ^ "' 

ooWng  will  mZ\„  rot.eak  '         ''  "  '""''''"  "''  "^^ 
<n^J^^  "'"'""^  «"""  "O"  O^  »"'«»  di«u.d„g  M. 

after  S  why  no  «tr,  aron^ce  j"""  V  '°", ''"'  V"-"'^"""'  I™' 
reap,«arance1h°„  ne"d,d  wi     &?k«'"k'""'!''''7°"' 

Wend     vJu  te,e  „„,  liKlrV""""''  °' *' '»""'"  »'  "« 

t^tlo'^Z  "°'-"",''«<^«i"K-'Pic.  .re  forbidden.  And 

W.  fh'er  dL'-fHe'n-S  S  "her'Tr,;'";?;:'""'^''  f 
holds  her  seems  to  blot  out  fe^-lina  ,„  .  ^'        ^*  ^i'f ^^i'  '*•'» 

Gay  drew  a  long  breath-a  brealh  of  relief       *         -" 

yyol^^^nS'Jh'rX'l^.rte^n  ^H '"  >«"<"-" 
her  never  learn  this,  if  ii  SU    1^    '  "''  ""  «n»'»"ce.    Lrt 

fcould„o.qui,elStlu       i^^T""  •"  .r'"'  •••     > 

g".«.'-.-Z,  1  S'^i,  WlZo'u'.Cin"';:-  i-tL"  '.?"'' 

-«impec.ed„rheTjrdT°Pr„±\to!ll°4'";!'?*'S',i 

iSt„^1;.^??sriit^'.t-''--^^^^^^^^ 

Of  om^  J  bMt  »nti]  U-.e  matter  if  <^>  dtci<W  K^  hm 


k  J 


5?-"P' 


t?"    Whi. 

gloonnlr', 
)f  Ion  gpur. 
si'-ed  iipoi 
ent  on  the 

of  liidJcc 
e  ot  «r.ene^ 
Ilia.    Aud 

oh  which 

ussing  hu 

loiildtake 
>now,  but 
Is  fnr  yom 
I,  K^2  iin 
jHt^JI  wit| 
uy  iiffair  ? 
>r  should 
er  of  hei 

in.  An<^ 
the  siib, 

ic  nevo 


lorarc* 
ce.  Let 
It  it  I 
a  b(id 
—J  lorf 
Wantfl 
think  1 
Beheld 
iips  tha 

'ilun«Jt 


ffplNl 


^ 
k 


''MOW  niDB  BO^D  ASp  PEUJ*  411 

hi  total  {gDorance.    Take  her  abroa<I,  ainuse  her,  let  hei  irgaia 
lier  health>j^-^e  will  recover  none  the  quicker   for   knowing 

At  ten  o^clpck  next  morning  the  prisoner  waa  taken  intc 

court     The  crowd  was  unprecedented — many  of  those  ii\\f 

kad  fl  ."d  from  London  the  second  week  of  July,  as  ihougU  i 

•ere  pe&t-stiicken,  had  returned  la  witness  the  trial  of  Guj 

£ari|C9urt.     He  bowed  and  smiled  to  the  many  faces  he  kne* 

U  he  took  his  place  in  the  dock.     Mr.  Carson,  a  very  able  iaw 

jrcr,  had  been  retained  on  the  part  of  the  prisoner,  Mr.  Hard 

mg  to  conduct  the  prosecution.     Mr.  Harding  rose  on  behaL 

of  the  Crown  to  address  the  bench  and  lay  before  them  the  fact* 

o^  the  case.     His  address  was  lengthy,  acd  told  forcibly  against 

th^  prisoner.     He  summed  up  the  evi^civ daid  before  the  coro 

iier  m  an  overwhehning  mass,  and  proceeded  to  summon  th< 

witnesses.     All  the  more  uni)ortant  witnesses  who  had  previ 

ously  ap|)eared  were  again  summoned,  and  among  the  new  onei 

Mr.  Allan  Kane  was  first  called 

Mr.  Kane  had  very  little  light  to  throw  upon  the  case  one 
way  or  anqther.  Had  seen  prisoner  in  company  with  Miss  War- 
ren many  times— both  the  September  of  her  flight  and  othei 
years  during  his  summer  visits  to  Montalien  Priory.  H  td  nevei 
thought  Mr.  Katlscourt  a  lover  of  hers ;  had  not  kiio*  1  him  to 
pay  any  more  attention  to  her  than  the  other  men  did  .topping 
at  the  Priory.  Knew  that  he  went  up  to  London  one  evening 
late  m  September ;  could  not  remember  the  date.  H  :ard  next 
day  Miss  Warren  was  missing,  and  had  gone  with  bin.  Wa« 
8un>n*^  at  the  news  ;  did  not  credit  it.  Believed  N(r.  Earls- 
court's  own  statement  that  he  had  met  her  by  accident  at  the 
|ita lion.  Was  convinced  the  prisoner  was  quite  incapable  eilhei 
of  deliberate  seduction  or  murder.  Knew  his  repuUtion  had 
not  been  stainless  in  the  past,  but^iis  guik  had  been  die  coja 
Bioo  follies  of  youth,  never  crimes. 

A  profound  sensation  ran  through  the  court  at  the  name  oi 
lie  next  witness.  It  was  Francis;  Baron  Montalien,  the  piis. 
oners  brother.  , 

lit  came  forward,  his  face  deathly  pale,  dressed  in  black,  aft 
MUAOus  blue  circle  surrounding  his  mouth  and  eyea«  looking 
tewpeakably  uL  He  shrank  away  from  the  dock ;  Kb  voiw  "^ 
Wen  he  s|»oke  was  alt.iost  inaudible  from  agiution — »h^  luitural 
_!fi^?on  0/ M  upright  m<in  Biieemg^his  Only  *)rothe:  Jtlaced  ia 
ie<tfeadful  a  itosition. 

jLovd  Montahen  iwom.      The   pittfoner  waa  his 


xx 


^, 


4tt 


*b6w  pkidb  bo ^ed  am>  fell* 


Had  known  Alice  Warren  off  an  J  on  for  many  years.     I  a4 
Always  had  the  highest  resi>ect  for  bef  personally,  and  foi  tbe 
whole  family.     Had  never  heard  her  lightly  s|>oken  of.     Visited 
the  cotuge  very  often  when  passing— rarely  wen!  there  pur 
poscly.     Had  often  met  his  brother  Ihere—aml  met  him  walk- 
ttg  with  Miss  Warren.-    Had  frequently  jested  with  hiin  abonf 
taB  attentions  to  the  baiUif  s  pretty  daughter,  but  had  never 
oonsidered  them  seiious.     Was  aware  of  his  brothei's  intentiot, 
Jf  going  up  to  London  onthe  evening  of  the  27th,  but  knew 
•othing  of  the  girl's  flight  until  next  day.     Was  surprised  and 
mocked  when  informed  they  had  fled  together.     Came  up  to 
iDwn  himself  ne«t  day  on   purjiose  to  remonstrare  with  hif 
trother,  but  did  not  succeed  in  seeing  him  then,  or  for  many 
greeks  after.     Yes ;  another  of  his  guests,  Augustus  Strdman, 
Dad  also  left  lie  Priory  for  London  about  the  same  time,  on 
Uie  same  day.  or  the  day  before  his  brother,  could  not  re«iem- 
ber  wnicn.     Mr.  Siedman  had  not  returned— was  out  in  Aus- 
fraha   at   present      Sir    Harry   Gordon  was   in    India       Hi« 
jrother,  Mr.  Fane,  and  Captain  Viliiers,  were  the  onK  other 
friends  staying  with  him  that  year.     He  had  remaiqed  in  Lon- 
don a  week  or  more  on  the  occasion  of  his  coming  up— then  * 
totumed  k>T  a  few  days  to  Lincolnshire.     Had   never  seeq 
Alice  Warren  after  her  flight     Yes ;  his  brother  had  called 
before  ti«  departure  for  America  upon  him  at  his  lo<lgings.     l\ 
was  Chnstmas  week,  not  Christmas  eve-r-two  or  three  days 
before  Christmas.     They  had  talked  of  his  departure  and  ol 
^u-         °"'^'  «^".  which  had  disinherited  him.     Had  not 
pad  his  brother's  debts.     Miss  Fjirlscourt  had  done  it.     Had 
Often  advised  him  for  his  good.      Had  s|M)ken  to  him  more  th^n 
once  on  the  subject  of  Alice  Warren,  but  had  always  been  re- 
Duned.  ' 

Lord  Montalien  was  cross-examined,  and  allowed  to  stand 
down.  His  emotion  had  been  very  great  Profound  sympa 
fty  tor  his  delicate  health  and  deep  sorrow  was  felt  through 
*<•  court  His  fact;  was  quite  ghastly  as  he  left  the  box,  hi.i 
J«nd  was  pressed  convulsively  in  the  region  of  his  heart- 
Gu/s  dark  ryes  followcl  him,  his  handsome  fice  set  and  sttra 
He  tiad  listened  to  hi&  oeliberate  perjury  ;  and  if  any  doubt  of 
Ua  guilt  had  Ifhgered  m  his  mind  it  was  disj>elled  m  that  h  jut, 

Captaii-  Cecil  Viliiers  came  next  and  the  (Juardsman.  wit> 
every  wish,  to  serve  his  fneid.  every  belief  in  h|^ 


mjiocenc 


Od  uiore  to  damn  his  case  and  hang  him  man  all  the  mt 
md  known  Alice  Warren,  and  admired  hsr— alwayi  admireii 


•■..  ^ 


...tf^p^^^'si).- .  <l^ 


'..wagw^V 


'MOW  FRIDB  BOWED  AND  r&LLy< 


4I| 


^rrtty  girls,  whether  peasants  or  prinresses.     Was  nol  airara 

of  Gu/  Rarlscourt  being  her   lover — never  had  tnougiit  him 

luch.     Hat!  "chaffed  "  hiin^n  the  subject  of  the  flight  cice  oi 

twice,  and  beUeved  what  had  been  told  him.  that  the  meitinf 

at  the  railway  was  merest  chance.     Mr.    Karlscouit  had,  re 

Qiaincti  at  his  lodgings  for  two  days  previous  to  his  de|iaiturr 

Som  England.     He  had  been  absent  on  duty  nearly  all  of  the 

13d  of  December — A»und  the  prisoner  alone  in  his  chambe) 

ttpon  hfs  return  late  at  night.  They  had  sat  together  smoking  and 

talking  for  a  couple  of  hours — his  friend  seemed  thoughltui 

and  out  of  spirits.     Once,  when  talking  of  his  past  recklesi 

carper,  Cruy  had  lirtrst  out  laughing,  and  exclaimed :  "  Cecil, 

old  fellow,  what  would  yOa  say  if  1  told  you  1  was  about  to 

close  my  mad  career  by  tlie  crowning  madt^e^s  of  all  to-mor 

row?"     Had   laughed   again,  and  refused  to  say  more — had 

taken  his  canjle  and  gone  to  bed.     Awakening  next  morning 

aliout  daylight,  he  had  seen  Guy  in  the  room  adjoining,  dresi|> 

ing  himself  by  candle-light.     Had  called,  and  asked  him  whali 

the  deuce  he  meant  by  getting  up  in  the  middle  of  the  night  ? 

The  inisoner  had  answered  it  was  half-past  seven  o'clock,  and 

that  he  had  a  pressing  engagement  for  eight.     "There  is  a 

lady  in  the  case,  Villiers,"  he  said;  "and  ladies  brook  of  no 

delay."     I  fell  asleep  again,  and  did  not  awake  until  after  nine. 

My  servant  came  with  hot  water,  and  I  asked  him  what  time 

it  was,  and  if  Mr.  Kariscourt  had  got  back  yet  ?     He  said  it 

was   half  past   nine,    and   Mr.    Kariscourt   had   not   returned. 

Rarlscourt  came  in  while  we  were  s[>eaking,  coveretl  with  snow. 

He  told  us  he  had  been  riding  outside  m  the  snow-storm,  and 

was   tremendously    hungry.      We   breakfasted   together.      Hf 

made  no  further  reference  to  his  engagement  of  die  morning 

At  a  httle  before  ejeven  he  left  for  the  house  of  a  friend — ^ 

VAn5'Charteris--to  bid  the  family  good-by.     Two  hours  latei  I 

liw  him  depart  oy  the  noon  train  for  Southampton. 

Uliile  (^aptain  Villlcra  was  hajting  all  this  reluctantly  ex 
toi'tnd  from  him,  a  messenger  had  made  his  way  to  Mr.  Carson, 
»iid  pljced  a  note  in  his  nand.  It  was  ot  some  length  and  of  '^ 
evident  iimortance — the  face  of  the  lawyer  flushed  up  witk 
surprise  and  delight  as  he  read  it.  It  was  the  middle  of  die 
afternoon  ;  the  court  must  speedily  adjourn. 
jamuel  Watters.  the^servant  sjioken  of  by  Captain  Villfgi, 


#43  the  last  witness  for  the  prosecution  called,  and  corrobort 
ted  his  master's  statement  conceniing  Mr.  Karlscoiufs  actioai 
apon  that  moi  ning,  his  calling  the  c^  fof  bin>,  ii)p  Imw*  i|f  ^m 


'■<L 


V^;'> 


4r4 


*m>W  PRIDR  BOWEb  AND  FELL,^ 


With  his  evidence  the  case  for  the  prosecution  ddsed;  %tA 
ft«n  Mr.  Carson  arose  with  the  pleasant  prefator)r^reinark  thai 
OM  address  would  be  a  brief  one.  ^ 

He  did  not,  he  said,  rise  to  assert  thjit  his  cliert  was  gailt 
Jess  of  Ujs  bcmble  crime  laid  to  his^charge— that  was  to  be 
presuinsd  until  the  (evidence  had  iWven  him  guilty.  Thjt  Ui« 
tvidence  just  heard  had  done^  he,  Mr.  Carson,  dcnieiL  Ii 
WIS,  from  first  to  last,  cirjaiinstantial,  and  improbable  in  Iht 
sxtieme.  He  could  cite^  scores  of  occasions  where  innoccnf 
aaer.  had  been  con(}eitined  on  far  niore  conclusive  circumatac 
nal  evidence  tJian  this,  their  innocence  discovered  only  wheit 
too  late.  Mr.  Earlscourt  meets  this  unhappy  girl  at  the  sta- 
tion, an^^ccompanies  her  up  to  l^ndon.  She  is  a  stranger 
--m  the  great  city  for  the  first  time— tired  and  frightened,  and 
«pquests  him,  as  a  friend  and  protector  in  whom  she  places 
every  confidence,  to  see  her  safely  to  her  destination.  He 
does  M)  at  once,  using  no  disguise  before  the  landlady,  maVinc 
ao  attempt  at  concealment 

On  the  occasion  of  his  second  visit,  some  weeks  later,  he  did 
the  same,  going  openlv  and  in  broad  day.  Is  this  the  conduc' 
of  that  other  mauj  wh6  visits  his  victim  like  the  criminal  he  is, 
disguised,  and  after  dark  ?  What  evidence  has  been  offered 
here  to  prove  that  my  client  and  this  disguised  man  are  one 
and  the  same  ? 

Mr.  Carson  here  grew  eloquent,  and^owed  distinctly  the 
weakness  of  <his  part  of  the  evidence.  That  they  were  not 
ene  and  the  same,  he  was  clearly  prepared  to  prove.  Mr. 
Earlscourt  had  left  the  lodgings  of  Captain  ViUiers  at  dght 
orclork,  or  a  little  before,  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  of  De- 
cember, 186a. 

He  had  told  Captain  Villiers  "there  was  a  lady  in  tne 
case."  He  told  him  the  truth ;  but  that  that  lady  was  nor 
me  mordered  girl  he  was  prepared  to  s'>ow  the  court— Ihii 
his  client  had  been  from  a  few  minutes  past  eight  un-1  nins- 
thetune  when  the  murder  was  committed  at  Batters^a--u 
company  of  this  lady  and  her  maid,  in  the  dty  of  Undon. 
A  sense  of  loyalty  to  the  lady  had  held  his  diett  silent,  with 
a  noble  generosity,  at  the  peril  of  his  own  liie.  With  a  gen 
•rosity  e(|ual  to  his  own,  that  lady  had  now  come  forward  to 
diumphantly  vindicate  hi«  honor  and  his  innocence.  lUnesi 
liad  prevented  her  hearing  of   Mr.   Rarlscourfs  arrest  t  ap 


wrhcf  dlf^yfilerday  she  had  discc»  ned  it  in  her  howe  mflff 
•*«M   T<Kd»y  the  was— uBiwl  _ 


■  .■^■KV?*t^'tlj 


..«a^..v» 


*»m}W  PRIDE  BOWED  AND  FELL* 


At% 


Med;  an^ 
mark  thai 

was  guilt 
was  to  be 

Thit  Ui« 
enieiL  l\ 
tiie  in  tht 

innocenf 
rcumatac 
m\y  whei» 
t  the  sta- 
Ei  stranger 
ened,  and 
he  (places 
ion.  He 
]ft  malting 

er,  he  did 
i  conduc* 
nal  he  is, 
n  offered 
n  are  one 

nctly  the 
were  not 
ve.  Mr. 
at  flight 
Jiof  De- 

\y  m  tne 
was  Dof 
iirt-lhji 
-1  nins- 
:rs^a-  -  ib 
lx)Ddon. 
ent,  with 
^  a  gen 
rward  to 
lUnen 
an 


M  mitei 


.»i»i.ii^-\>t. 


A  ^-iiB.Tnur  thrilled  through  the  deatfi  liM  silence  of  tht 
crowded  court.  The  face  of  the  prisoner  had  flushed  crimiOD 
to  the  temples,  then  faded  away,  leaving  hiin  ghastly  pale. 

'Die  door  of  the  witness-box  opened,  and  a  lady  stood  rfier^ 
robed  »n  dark  silk,  tall,  elegant,  veiled.  Every  creature  in  th« 
crowded  court  leaned  breathlessly  forward — you  might  have 
heard  a  feather  fall.  She  lifted  one  gloved  hand,  and  fluufl 
.  back  her  veil.  The  rays  of  the  August  sun  streaming  io 
throi^h  the\windows  feU  full  upon  her ;  a  thrill,  an  irrepressible 
murmur,  rail  through  the  court  at  sight  of  that  queenly  grace, 
of  that  matcfiless  loveliness.  And  four  hundred  eager  eye*  fell 
and  fixed  onthe  proudly  beautiful  face  of  Paulina  Lisle  I         1 

She  was  white  as  marble,  white  as  death,  as  she  faced  the! 
bench.  Once!,  and  once  only,  she  looked  at  the  prisoner. 
ais  face  wcrC  a  strained,  pa.ssionate  look  of  appeal,  as  ii 
even  then  he  would  entreat  her  silence.  A  smile,  the  sweet- 
est, the  gentlest,  she  had  ever  given  him  curved  her  lips her 

eyes  lit  up — the  old  dauntless  resolution  was  there  in  everj 
line  of  that  |)erfect  face.  He  dropped  his  own,  and  shaded 
his  eves  with  his  hand.  Until  he  stood  up  free,  he  nevei 
raised  his  head  again. 

Mr.  Carson  leaned  forward,  and  blandly  spoke 

To  all  the  legal  genlleinen  present  Miss  Lisle  was  well  known 
by  reputation,  the  celebrated  lx)ndon  beauty,  who  only  a  few 
weeks  ago  had  refused  to  marry  the  Marquis  of  Heatherland. 
And  the  beautiful,  the  wealthy  heiress  and  belle,  stood  here  in 
a  l^ndon  police-court,  to  vindicate  the  innocence  of  a  in^ 
luspected  of  murder ! 
^  "  Your  name,  madam,  if  you  please  ?  " 

She  came  a  step  forward.  For  an  instant  the  blood  rose  up 
bright  in  her  pale  face.  Then,  in  that  sweet,  vibrating  voices 
tliat  had  always  been  one  of  her  chief  charms,  she  spoke : 

•♦1  am  called  Paulina  Lisle,  but  it  is  not  my  name.  V«if 
vhen  you  have  heard  what  1  am  here  to  »*y,  you  will  nal 
JeiStand." 

iliere  were  scores  present  who  knew  her  well,  but  with  dif 
exception  of  rtrv,  not  one  of  them  understood  what  thu  meant 
Even,  her  father  stood  confoun-^ed. 

N  »t   her   name  ?— what  did    she   mean  ?    Ai  the  thought 
cro8<ied  his  mind,  as  he  looked  at  hw  wondetingly,  the  dear, 
CTeet^  tonM  ^  her  voice  agair  were^eai^Tg  Ac  bcnm  her- 
mfiibir  story. 

(yh^n  Robert  Lisle  told  Guy  Earltconrt  of  the  ftni^  itatit 


{ 


t 


-,a*zM. 


K  jd'^W^fiU. ^-^  \  t.~.»     (Ji4S^^!^ 


4l6  .  r^BOW  PRWB.  BOWED  Al^D  PELL,** 

xi  apathy  into  which  his  danglUcr  had  fallrn  in  her  coniaicc* 
oence,  he  had  told  him  the  siinpte  trurh. 

Her  youth,  her  splendid  viutity,  had  made  her  iccorery  rapid 
enough  while  reason  remained  absent.  The  moment  entire 
consciousness  of  past  and  present  things,  the  moment  n.?moi7 
and  mind  returned  complete,  her  recovery  had  ceased  S>« 
sank  into  a  state  very  nearly  resemblins  stupor -she  rarelj  . 
«niled,  she  rarely  spoke,  she  lajr  or  sat,  white  and  still,  s}^edr 
leas,  lifeless.  She  puzzled  the  doctors — by  all  laws  of  medidnr 
■he  shoiild  have  recovered  with  double  rapidity  about  the  tiihe 
recovgry  stopped  entirely.  She  distressed  her  fnends  beyond 
Qieasure — they  saw  her  dying  before  their  eyes,  and  had  no  clue 
whatever  to  her  hidden  disease. 

*•  She  has  somethmg  pre)'injf  on  her  mind,"  the  learned  Ixm-. 
don  physician  said,  shaking  his  gray  head,  "  and  I  t:annut  min- 
ister to.a  mind  diseased.  Until  she  tells  you  what  ihat  hidden 
trouble  is,  and  you  find  a  means  df  alleviating  it,  all  my  effort! 
are  vain."  ,    ' 

They  spoke  to  h^r  gently,  lovingly,  soothingly,  and  she  looked 
at  them  blankly,  and  only  answered  with  a  tired  sigh,  and  a  lit- 
de  impatient  gesture  :  "  Please  let  her  alone.  It  worried  hei 
to  death  to  talk — there  was  nothing  on  her  mind,"  Hushing  an- 
grily, as  she  said  it,  and  with  all  the  old  wilfulness.  ^  Uliy 
uiould  they  think  so  ?  She  was  not  very  strong  yet — that  was 
all."  And  then  the  pale  lips  closed  in  a  line  of  weary  pain,  and 
flie  heavy,"  melancholy  light  fiJied  the  blue  eyes,  and  she  looked 
away  from,  them  all — away  and  away  over  the  wide  ocean,  that 
tne  could  see  like  a  stripe  of  silver  ribbon  from  her  window. 
Alice  was  dead — Guy  was  gone  forever.  Guy  !  Guy  f  It  wa» 
the  old  burden— death  toned  now. 

She  had  lost  him  forever  ;  and  with  him  heart  and  life  seemed 
to  have  go^e.  He  was  far  off  in  wide  Amenca  by  this  tune,  chink 
bag  hei  base,  and  cruel,  and  heartless;  and  all  selfish  and  un 
ronahly  things,  and  he  would  never  know  how  bitterly  she  hai 
repented,  how  dearly  she  loved  him.  ^  Her  life  seemed  ended— 
irhat  was  there  left  to  recover  ar.d  live  for  now  P  She  ha<'  gone 
»r«ng  from  first  to  last — her  pnde,  her  lebelliou^  wilful  ipiiit 
fead  led  her  astraj^  ever  since  siie  could  reneiuber,  and  now  the 
end'fcidcom6. 

If  Pauhna  had  been  m  her  a.ual  healthy  state  of  ntind  and 
J>ody  she  could  never  have  worked  honwtlf  uu  tothw  inerbid^ 


-anwholesome  pitch,  but  tJl  strength  was  gor**,  oh/sirally  and 
■Hspt»Uy  «ik1  thcte  seepicd  no  power  to  r^.    She  sat  ^  hit 


i» 


'   •♦ 


^'■'-Is.'  '  .jt .  iSiSiA*  •*'*'i-  "  '  ■ 


%.  Atcherly, 

■all  intur^K 

iu  It  rifnif^ 

and  Ik  in.< 


-MOtr  niDR  BOWED  AND  FEttf  41; 

window  the  livelong  day,  gazing  out  with  blank,  dull  ejrea  at 
diat  silver  sea  line,  melting  away  into  the  blue,  brg^t  »ky,  4ia 
Ustless  hands  lying  idly  in  her  lap.  She  saw  no  one  but  the 
uunily — she  8hrank„even  from  her  old  friend,  M 
when  that  lady  ran^down  to  see  her.  She  had  los 
in  her  fnend's  murder.     Alice  was  dead — what  » 

vh}  had  done  the  deed  ? — she  knew  who  had  done  i_ 

Guyfs  brother,  and  i"  would  n«n  refill  Alice  to  life  hunting  'lia 
down.  So  the  cays  and  weeks  went  by  and  it  was  the  Um 
Veek  of  August.  I 

That  same  blazing  August  aAemoon  prerediri  Guy's  ex 
ttnination  'oefore  the  |)olice-court,  on  which  he  had  lain  papl- 
ing  for  air  in  his  stilling  prison  room,  a  woman  drove  up  fitxu 
the  railway  to  the  cottage  of  Duke  Mason.  If  was  close; UM>n 
sunset,  the  golden  light,  slanted  across  the  rich  uplands  and 
meadows,  and  the  fresh  breeze  blew  cool  from  thelwa.  The 
woman  was  adlnitted  by  Rosanna— -a  stranger  to  her.k  strangei 
in  Speckhaven,  a  little  woman,  decently  dressed  arid  lookuig 
like  a  resi>ectable  matron  of  Rosanna' s  own  standing 

"  Docs  Miss  Paulina  Lisle  live  here?"  this  womantasked 

looked 

lereoi  a 
visibe 

one,' 


! 

i 


'  Yes ;  Miss  Paulina  Lisle  lived  there  ; "  and  R 
gnm,  and>«tern,  as  she  made  the  answer. 

"  Then  1  must  see  her,  and  at  once.  I  have  come 
matter  of  the  greatest  importance,"  the  woman  said, 
agitation. 

••  You  cannot  see  her.    She's  been  ilL  She  don't  see 
respondf.'d  Miss  Rosanna  Mason. 

"  She  will  see  ine — she  must  see  me." 

"  Must,  ma'am  I "  Rosanna  repeated,  with  her  sten» 
and  most  awful  bass. 

"  She  will  see  me,  if  vou  tell  her  who  I  am  " — the 
agitation  inrteasfng  with  every  word—"  tell  her  itfs  Jane 
that  was  hei  maid  six  years  ago.     Oh,  'do  tell  her,  pie 
ft  matter  of  life  or  death.     I've  come  all  the  way  up  from 
iriicip  I  live,  on  pur|KJse  to  see  Miss  Lisle." 

"  Will  you  not  .tell  me  what  you  want  of  her  ?  "  Olivia' 
ro;ce  saul  >ver  the  shoukler  of  Rosanna.     '•  1  am  her 
Miss  Lisle  has  been  •'cr>  iU—iuc  slightest  excitenisitt 
gcrous." 

Jane  Seaver  dropped  a  lady's-maid's  courtesy. 
„*l' Jieggiitg  your  pardon,  ma'am,  " 


gLrt 

inuui'i 

«ver, 

i-itTi 

'alei^ 

•o« 
kher. 


-M 


Paulina  herself. 
Vt 


\  should  like  to  a#k  you  iMS  ui 


wmm 


4ii 


•  Jfl^ir  F^IpM  Bomu>  AfTD  FMtU» 


dimwh  "  —visibly  cmbarrMaed.     "  Docs  she  know  Utik^  dutf 
Mr.  Karlscourt  is  bsinjg  tried  for  his  life  for  murder  ?  " 

"No,"  Olivia  answered,  in  surprise;  "she  does  nbt.  W« 
keep  all  exciting  topics  from  her.     is  it  bf  that  jorxkmat  to 

ipeak  ? "    '  '  \        ' 

'the  woman  claj^ed  her  hands. 
Jll^l  ^'O^  »  8*ke'tcl  lae  see  her !    Tell  her  I  am  h/jre,  and  I 
»•»  she  will  see  me.     I  tell  you,  ma'am,  it  is  a  nutter  of  lifc 
-4dJ  deatL"  " 

The  wonian's  face  tbjd  she  spoke  the  truth. 

Ro^nna  aid  Mrs.  Msle  whspered  together  for  ajmoment 
then  the  Utter  turned  to  the  stranger. 

"  Come  in,"  she  said  quietly.  "  I  shall  teU  my  dailghter  yu« 
•re  here,  and  what  you  say.  Whether  she  sees  vAu  o»  not, 
•hall  be  for  her  to  decide."  T  ^ 

She  ascended  to  Paulina's  room,  pale  atad  uneasy.  What 
ecxald  this  w;oman  mean  ?  , 

"  1  wish  Robert  were  here  I "  she  thought  at  she  oponed  the 
«wr— "or  even  Dukel^'  ' 

■  A  m^njent  later  and  she  reappeared.  ' 

"Vou  are  tq  i;o  up,"  she  said ; , "  Miss  Lisle  will  see  yoo." 
-»  The  woman  ascendet^  and  wa^  shown  into  the  youna  lady's 
rtKMn.  ,  ^      ' 

Taulina  rose  up  from  her  chair,  with  a  startled  face. 

••  Jane  I"  she  exclaimed— "j'iw /" 

And  the  woman  had  caught  both  her  hands  and  kissed  them, 
with  a  cry :  ^ 

"  Oh,  Miss  Paulina  f  Mis?  Paulina  f " 

Uri.  Lisle  saw  no  more  ;  she  closed  the  door  and  went  out 

Teaminutespassed— she  had  descended  and  joined  Rosannt 
below  -when  a  cry  rang  through  the  hou!.e— a  loud,  terrible 
tcreatu  It  was  Paulina's  voice.  Both  started  andrtished  up 
uyi  broke  into  the  room  simultaneously. 

In  the  niiddle  of  die  floor  stood  Paulina,  ghastly  pale,  the 
«oman  before  her  jx'le  and  trembling,  clinging  to  her,  and  ira- 
plonng  l.er  to  be  cajin.  * 

Rssruda  h-uled  her  aside  as  you  would  brush  a  reptile. 

"What  have  you  done  to  her  ?    Wh.it  have  you  told  her? 
radirji  I  Paulina  I  wh^t  is  the  .liatter  ?  " 
^  '  Misf  Paulina,  for  the  tove  of  Heaven  I ''  criaJ  the 
nnging  h«r  hands. 


Paulina  turned,  with  e)es  that  flashed  likeT  lightning  moB 
DOT  nother  and'  Rotasiia.  ^^ 

•*Why  hart  you  kept  i(i<Ma»?    Did  you  want  me  tQ  adrf 


l^it-  „'iu^S£.^    1.^  %^}l!^iH/-  .  I 


ifAst't^ 


her! 


'B9W  miDB  BOWED  AHD  rMlL* 


'^'T  f ■ 


4>4 


nuirHer  to  iny  other  criiiib./  Oh,  great  Heaven  i  to  think 
•hat  he  should  be  lying  in  prison  all  these  weeks— to  think  ther 
ihould  be  tr)  ing  hiih  (or  his  life,  and  /  the  cause  of  it  all  I " 

"  Paulina,'  said  her  moiher,  in  terror,  " of  whom  are  yo« 
lOeaking  r     Surely  not  of  jioor  Guy  Karlscourt?" 

"  Of  (;uy  K-arlscourt— of  Guy  Earlscourt,  whose  curse  I  ha^ 
boen  from  first  lo  last.  1  bound  him  by  oath,  and  he  has  kept 
It  wfll— would  have  kept  \<  to  the  scaffold  I  ^Vhy  did  you  not 
l.'ll  ine?     Did  you  want  to  make  roc  a  msjrderess?" 

She  broke. lown  in  a  passion  of  hysterical  tears,  covering  hei 
fece  with  her  hands,  and  sobbmg  untU  her  whole  form  shook. 

jane  clung  to  her,  entreating  her  to  be  calm. 

"They  did  not  know,  Miss  Paulina— how  should  they? 
And  It  is  not  ;oo  late  yet— remember  that.  If  >ou  make  your- 
>tlf  ill  you  will  be  able  to  do  him  no  good.  For  pity's  sakc^ 
Wiss  Pauhna,  don't  I     To-morrow,  all  will  be  set  right." 

SI.e  lifted  her  face ;  she  uiught  Jane  veheiucntly  by  the  arm. 

•♦  1  o-oiorrow  ?  You  are  act  deceiving  me  ?  To-morrow  \ 
tan  sa*""  ivuii  P  " 

Befi'r«  jane  could  reply,  the  door  below  opened,  and  mens 
/'MctJi  were  heard.  It  was  Mr.  Lisle  and  Duke  reniming  from 
I  on*ion. 

"  Thank  Heaven  I "  Olivia  cried.     "  Here  is  ray'  husband  I " 
She  ran  down  to  him,  as  she  always  did,  happy  and  fluttered 

Sy  his  return,  and  m  a  few  incoherent  sentences  told  him  what 

ha  I  taken  place. 

Lisle  listened  very  gravely.     The  old  sqspicion  that    had 

n«!ver  entirely  left  hun,  that  there  was  something  between  Guy 
^A  Paulina,  nomothing  secret  and  abnormal,  was  confirmed 

Did  .his  woman  know  the  secret  which  bound  them,  yet  held 

the  in  apart  ? 

Me  went  up  with  his  wife,  and  entered  his  daughters  room. 

iHuing  the  bnef  interval,  Paulina  had  calmed  strangely, 
^he  was  walking  up  and  down  the  room  when  her  father 
«nt«  reel,  her  lips  compressed,  her  eyes  alight;  her  brows  knit 
n  steady  resolve.     She  came  foiward  to  her  tather  at.  onqe. 

"I  have  something  i  warit  to  say  to  you,"  she  began, 
sbruptly.  ♦•  Rosanna,  will  you  take  Mrs.  Seaver  down  stairii 
MM*,  be  kind  to  her — she  has  done  me  great  «ervice  to-dav 
Aiother  please  leave  father  with  me  ?  " 

They  quitted  the  room,     J^auhna^^laced  -, 

lier,>nd  took*  fctt  h^Klf  in  Uie  shade  oC  the 
tllM 


f^o     f' 


iMMMINMtfMtMUMMtaimrilM 


4ao 


'^mOW  PRiDE  BOWkD  AMD  FELL* 


.    "  P4j»  I  "r-in  ♦he  same  abrupt  way—"  .\4r.  Rarlsconn  ii  b 
li>riaQn,  l(o  be  tried  for  fbe  murder  of  Alice  Warren  i  " 

"  Yes^\  Paulina  ;  1  am  sorry  to  say  he  is." 

"Sorri  to  say  I  Surely,  papa,  y0u  do  not  believe  bin 
guilty?  "\ 

"No,  rrty  daughter  ;  but  the  evidence  is  very  strong  vgi\ii 
him.     Po<>r  (lu>''s  position  is  a  most  distressing  one.     .1  knot 
of  nothing  thai  cail  save  hun  from  coninuttal  to  atoiron  bul^t. 
■clear  aMt." 

"  An  a/tfii  is  proving  his  presence  in  some  other  place  at  iu 
hour  the  murder  was  committed?" 

Lisle  nodded  assent. 

"Alice  was  murdered — so  this  sailor  swears — between  tht 
hours  of  eight  and  nine,  on  Christmas  eve,  i86a,  and  cu-cum 
stances  ix>mt  to  Mr.  l^lscourt  as  the  munlerrr  f" 

Her  voice  rang  out  clear  and  firm — unnaturailjr  clear.  He 
fiM;e  was  set  as  stone. 

Again  l.isle  nodded,  watching  her  uneasily. 

"  Why  does  not  Mr.  J'^rlscouri  prove  an  a/ibi  t  What  does 
he  say  ?  "  * 

"  Says  it  is  out  of  his  power — that  he  was  driving  about  in  > 
cab  at  that  time,  and  never  noticed  the  number.  That  4s  what 
he  says.  I  believe  he  is  screening  some  one — some  (jne  whora 
he  thinks  it  dishonorable  to  betray.  A  woman,  in  ail  proba 
bility."  He  looked  at  her  keewly.  She  met  thai  look,  and 
leaning  forward  laid  her  l^and  on  his.  ^ 

"  You  ax-  nght,  father  ;  and  /  am  that  woman." 

"  You  I  Paulina  I  "  his  bronzed  face  turning  white. 

"  I,  father  I  "  in  the  same  hard,  steady  tone  ;  "  and  you  can 
bnagire  what  his  opinion  of  nie  must  be,-  for  having  been  ti 
lent  thus  long." 

"  He  knows  the  truth — t^ut  we  have  kept  vou  in  ig no;  ante 
*nd  only  this  very  day  he  ^gged  me,  as  a  last  and  gfraie*' 
tfti'tH,  to  take  you  out  of  Eiigland,  sUll  m  ignorance  of  iyi 
fate." 

"He  did?" 

"He  did  I" 

She  turned  her  face  fi-om  hira,  and  there  wa«  dead  silenci 
br  a  bnef  space.  When  she  spoke  again,  her  voice  liemblet' 
wr  tile  first  tune. 

**  He  is  to  be  tned  to-morrow,  is  hr  not  ? Eatbet 


'4  ^ 


«ke  me  up  to  F-ohdjn— I  um«  provr  hi?  tnm>renft« 
'*y^a»  4«  II?" 


-jfflum' 


fivH-l^ilitfii.  i'i^  ^*.  |!*,*i^J(Ja^^v,i,^..^*^'■T^«*4i.a;^^.^^,i&iS  'i^*»i 


*:E3ijl^i  M     .\^'. 


' HOW lf*RIDE  BOWED  AND  FELL.' 


.    M 


421 


"  I  can  do  it.  Between  the  hours  of  eight  and  nin(^,  on 
Christmas  eve,  1862,  Guy  Earlscourt  and  1  were  together. 
Jane  Seaver  was  with  ns ;  she  can  provt'  it.as  well  as  I.  Mr. 
Earlscourt  is  the  noblest^  (the  most  loyal,  the  most  gt-perous 
of  men-^it  is  my  lurn  tooo  an  act  of  simple  justice  now. 
Pleaae  leave  me  alone  for  a  while.  I  shall  trust  you',  my 
father ,  to  take  me  up  to  town  in  time  to  save  him  to-niorrow.''« 
''You  may  trust  me,  Paulina — Heaven  bless  my  brave 
daughter." 

Ht*  kissed  her  leiiderly,  and  quitted  the  room.  And  Paulina' 
was  alone,  and  kttew  ill.  All  he  had  suffered  thtough  her,  all 
\v\s  brave  loyalty,  his  generosity,  his  noble  fidelity.  She  sank, 
down  on  her  knees,  and  hid'her  face  in  her  hands.  How  she 
suflered — how  ^he  loved  hun  in  that  hp:^  *^ii  known  only  to 
^Heaveii  and  herself.  '  ' 

J^ne  Seaver  remained'  at  the  cottagr  all  night—she  was  to 
iccompany  Mr.  Lisle  and  his  daughter  on  the  morrow.  The 
morrow  found  Paulina  (juite  cahn,  very  gentle,  very  sad.  Her 
pride  had  fallen  from  ber  as  a  mantle — she  was  going  t6  save 
Guy — she  thought  of  nothmg  but  that. 

She  stood  m  the  witness  box — she  had  seen  his  pale.jitartled 

face — all  the  intinite  love  and  honor  sl^e  felt  for  him   shone 

forth  in  her  smile.     The  sea  of  eager  human  {aces  melted  away 

.  —she  only  knew  Guy  was  there,  and  that  she  was  going  to  save 

^im.     The  silence  in  the  court,  as  with  a  little  legal  help  she 

•)ld  her  story,  was  something  almost  painfuL 

'*  1  have  known  the  Honorable  Guy  F^rlscourt  for  the  past 
^ght  years.  We  were  always  very  good  friends.  The  de 
ceased  was  also  my  most  intimate  friend — that  letter  was  writ- 
ten to  nie — I  gave  her  that  locket.  Mr.  Karlscourt  was  never 
nei  lover-— nev«;r — 1  krunt'  it.  On  the  night  of  December  aid, 
'  86i,  1  met  Mr.  Karlscourt  at  a  party  at  Twickenhaii«  We 
»e^>k>«ii  together  in  a  room  for  about  half  an  hour.  -  1  was  in 
-jp-ttl  trorble — my  guardian  was  trying  to  force  me  into  a  inar- 
fiage  with  a  gentleman  \  disliked  very  strongly.  I  was  in  hia 
powei  —until  I  came  of  age  or  marriea  He  was  to  take  nie  to 
Kwex  en  the  24ih,  and  iinprison  me  in  a  country-house  of  hia 
iintil  1  c  »nsent«l.  I  tojd  Mr.  Karlscourt  this — and  he  asked 
oie  tu  marri'  hin/insteadi  He  did  it  only  to  save  me.  He  was 
going  to  leave  England-t-oui:  marriage  would  make  no  difTer 
^nce  ift  his  plans.  T^  siy  again  he  only  did  it  to  save  nte. 
Wben  I  married,  my  fbf  t^ine  W:ame  my  own,  and  1  was  out  ul 


-^ 


■^l>»*»*««MiMMg 


■  ■■  '.-'■■>vit^''r-w(tf?':H^'^J<^i;'^ 


499 


'»jnW  nfDM  BOWED  AND  FMLlf 


woald  keep  our  marriage  a  dead  secret,  that  he  would  w^m 
afaert  his  cUuiii  as  my  husband  under  any  circumstances.  Ht 
tHiund  himself  by  oath  to  all  1  demanded,  and  said  everything 
\hould  be  ready  for  o«r  marriage  on  Chnstnias  eve.  The  hooi 
fixed  was  very  early  in  the  mo.ning,  because,  about  noon,  my 
{[uardian  meant  to  uke  me  down  to  F^sex. ,  We  <veic  to  b(^  mar 
ried  before  a  i  sgisirar  on  Chnsunas  eve ;  and  he  told  me  tt 
te  rcjuly  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning.  1  waa  I  tolil  tuj 
uakl,  and  no  one  else.  1  bound  her  also  by  oith  to  keep  tht 
taalter  a  secret  4  1  did  not  wish  any  one  to  know  1  was  mar- 
ried. At  precisely  eight  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  Chiistnuui 
eve,  niy  maid  and  1  stole  from  the  house.  Mr,  harlscourt  was 
waiting  for  us  at  the  corner  of  the  street  with  a  cab.  Yes,  i* 
was  snowing  hard.  We  drove  to  the  registrar's  office- -wr  were 
nearly  a  quarter  of  an  hour  getting  there.  Mr.  Kartscourt  rode 
on  the  box  outside  with  the  cabman  ^n  the  snow..  When  we 
reached  tlie  othce  we  found  no  one  but  a  bny  ;  the  registrar  wa« 
absent.  We  waited  half  an  hour  before  he  came.  1  know  the 
time.  I  kept  looking  at  ,niy  watch  every  five  minutes.  It  wai 
a  quarter  of  nine  when  he  arrived.  IVt  were  marrud.  Herd 
is  the  certilicate.  My  maid  and  I  re-entered  ±e  cab.  Mr* 
barlscourt  mounted  beside  the  cabman  again.  It  was  twenty 
minutes  past  nine,  precisely,  when  we  reached  Berkeley  Square. 
Mr.  Earlscourt  bade  me  good-morning,  said  he  would  re. urn 
about  eleven  to  bid  me  good  by,  and  left  me.  He  did  come  at 
the  hour  appointed— he  bade  me  farewell.  I  wished  him  te 
Uke  a  sum  of  tiiont.y,  but  he  refused.     1  swear  that  dunng  the 

^  whole  of  that  hour,  from  eight  to  nine,  on  Christmas  eve,  186a, 
Mr.  Earlscourt  was  in  my  company.  1  decline  entering  into 
my  motives,  or  speaking  any  further  of  myself.  1  have  told 
you  where  Mr.  Earlscourt  was  during  the  time  the  murtler  wu 
COtnniitterL  1  am  Mr.  Earlscourts  un/e—yt%."  1*he  thriD 
that  rin  through  Guy's  heart  even  at  that  moment  at  the 
irordr  !  "  A  wife  cannot  giv^vidence  for  or  against  a  hu* 
iand,  you  say  ?  Very  well,  m^baid  is  here  to  corroborate  my 
trstimonv,  if  mine  will  not  do." 

It  had  taken  upward  of  an  hour  for  the  speaker  to  tell  het 
•tory  -sh?  ha»l  grown  faint  and  giddy  before  it  was  done.  She 
reeled  with  the  last  words — she  looked  iike*  death,  and  as  j>er 
ipisiion  was  given  her  to  sund  down,  she  had  to  graap  the  ratli 
^>  keep  (irom  failing.     A  second  later,  she  was  in  ner  fothei'i^ 

-^naa-    iifeless^md  cold.     1^  t^  t|f at  Omg  in^  tor  lifty  Pb^|W^ 
ha^  fiime^  entirely  iw^y, 


..(S..^!<.^l*^v  -  i- 


\  ^^fb«^3!^-i^W<A^  -^'^ifS^i^^^^ 


■■•'% 


METMIMUTION. 


431 


Jan«  Seavet  wu  /ailed  to  the  itand,  and  |a<re  her  evidence. 
with  a  clearness  and  precision  that  carried  conviction  to  evei^ 
hearer.  It  vindicated  Ouy  com|deteiy.  She  swore  |XMitiveljr 
to  the  time — at  the  hour  when  the  murder  had  been  coai« 
muted — Mr.  Earlscourt  had  been  every  instant  with  het  anJ 
hnr  mistress.     No  cross^xamination  could  shake  or  alter  her.' 

Ouv  was  free! 

Before  she  had  ceased  undergoing  a  rigid  cross-examiuadoa, 
there  was  a  sudden  bustle  near  the  door.  A  man  was  bk-eath 
lessly  forcing  his  way  in,  by  sheer  force  of  strength  and  elbcwi. 

His  eyes  fell  on  Lord  Montalien — Lord  Montalien,  with  ao 
•xpression  on  his  face  not  good  to  see,  standing  stock  stiO 
since  Paulina  had  entered.  ,. 

The  n«wH:omer  whisfieitfd  a  few  words  to  a  pelicemaa 
"  Don't  let  Lord  Montalien  leave  the  court,"  and  iiill  kept  el> 
bowing  his  way  forward.  As  Jane  Seaver  descended,  he 
niounted  to  the  stand,  removed  his  hat,  showing  a  pale  and  agi- 
tated lace  as  he  turned  it  to  ;!^e  bemih. 

"  1  demand  to  be  swbm  I  1  have  iniporUnt  evidence  to  giva 
b  this  case.     My  name  is  Augustus  Stedman.'*' 


CHAPTER  IX. 


RXTMBimON. 


T  this  second  startling  interruption  of  the  ordinal  y  i 

course  of  things  there  was  a  general  movement  and 

murmur  throughout  the  Court.     Then  dead   silence,  » 

and  in  that  silence  every  eye  fixed  upon  the  tall,  pala 

yoimg  man  in  the  witness-box,  who  had  been  sworn,  and  wai 

rapidi)'  and  incoherently  giving  his  evidence. 

The  couit  itself  had  been  so  startled  and  excited  during  tht 
past  hour  <ir  two  that  any  Uttle  informality  in  Mr.  Stedman'i 
evidence  wai  overlooked,  and  the  bench  leaned  forward  and  to 
Uf ten,  almost  a4  prdfoundly  interested  as  the  silent  crowd.         V^ 
And  Lord  Montalien  !    The  eyes  of  Inspector  Bumham  wera 


apoh  him,  the  hand  of  Inspectpr  Hurnhani  ready  to  fall  heavily 
npcc  his  shoulder lEk  a  second's  notice.  1  hope  nobody  wiu 
ttink  anjr  the  wone  uf  tht«  zealous  c^ker  if  I  say  he  wai  kntter If 


i-fe: 


.&■ 


.   i 


434 


RMTRlBUTtON. 


K 


diMfvpomted  and  dlignsted  at  the  ck*nge  affairs  had' taken 
He  had  8|NU-ed  no  pain«  in  this  case,  put  foith  his  best  talent 
in  (erretiitg  out  proof  of  the  Honorable  Guy  Farlscourt's  guilt, 
haiJ  ni;ide  sure  of  i*x*\t,  and  a  rapid  nsc  in  his  profeswion  ia 
consequence,  and  lo !  at  thebleventn  hour — a  youn((  lady  coniei 
forward  and  proves  an  altht,  and  knocks  all  his  hopes  in  tht 
head.  It  was  cleai^,  however,  a  murder  hat!  been  comnr.iuedi 
inrt  the  murderer  nuist  be  found  if  in  England.  It  was  som« 
laiisfaction  to  suspect  lx)rd  Monialien,  if  not  his  brother,  ai»d 
he  stood  near,  eying  him  nairowly,  as  a  cat  its  prey. 

At  the  sight  of  Uie  new-comer's  face,  at  the  Mnind  of  nu 
name,  a  grayish  pallor  had  crept  slowly  over  his  lordship's  face 
from  brow  to  c^in.  The  game  was  up!  Among  all  the 
rhances  that  might  bring  detection  home  to  him,  he  iiad  nevef 
jiven  a  thought  to  Stedman's  return. 

He  hjul  thought  him  safe  in  Australia  for  life,  and  yonder  he 
stood,  speaking  the  words  that  told  his  life  away.  l!here  was 
a  sjiiiging  in  his  ears,  a  mist  before  his  eyeSj  foi  a  moment  a 
snaip,  sudden  pain  in  his'  left  side.  He  ha«i  reason  to  dread 
d»ose  swift,  keen  pangs — his  medical  men  looked  grave  when 
he  spoke  of  them,  and  warned  him  to  avoid  agitation  of  all 
kinds.  He  made  no  attempt  whatever  to  leave  the  court,  a 
(ascination  he  was  |>owerl«s8  to  control  chained  him  to  the  si>ot 
where  he  stood.  His  hfe,  perhaps,  de{>ended  on  his  escape 
now,  but  he  stood  there  listening  as  greedily  as  the  most  un- 
coacerned  specutor. 

'I  have  been  absent  in  Australia  six  year*  tnis  coming  D© 
C«^ber,*' were  the  first  words  he  heard  Stedinau  sjieak  clearly; 
'•  I  only  touched  Knglish  ground  yesterday.  1  took  up  a  pa^r, 
unil  the  first  thing  my  eyes  rested  on  was  the  arrest  and  trial  of 
Mie  Honorable  (Juy  F^rlscourt,  for  the  murder  of  Alice  Warren. 
1  wa3  utterly  confounded  at  first— then,  without  loss  of  time,  1 
WteTie<l  to  London  to  be  present  at  the  examination  to<lay. 
My  fiipt  visit  before  coming  here  was  to  Mrs.  Young's  lodging- 
houis,  Strand.  It  seemed  incomprehensible  to  me  how  «•<& 
could  confound  Kiiii  with  the  man  wl^  placed  Alice  Warren  in 
her  charge.  1  foUnd  her  very  ill,  but  quite  conscious;  and 
when  1  explaintKl  to  her  how  an  innocent  man's  life  might  rest 
on  her  identification,  she  resolved  to  come  here,  at  all  nazard% 
it  once.    She  is  outside  iri»  the  cab  now,  and  ready  to  appew 


tridence  is  concluded^-- 


**Six  years  ago  the  third  of  next  nr.onth,  I  was  one  of  »  |mm|I 
of  nen  down  for  die  shooting  season  at  Montalien  Pn<K|F.   p  r 


.:/ 


^.«£W. 


HETRIBVTTON. 


425 


knew  the  deceased,  Alice  Warren.  I  knew  her  very  well.  I 
admired  her  ^ood  looks,  like  the  rest,  and  paid  her  attentions 
when  she  would  lit  me,  but  she  rather  disliked  and  avoided 
me.  Mr.  Earlsconrtwascneof  us,  and  sometimes  visited  the. 
cottage  in  a  friendly  way.  H6  was  no  l«»ver  of  the  girl's.  Iktunv 
it.  How?  Because  I  know  who  her  accepted  lover  was.  It 
-WiM  Our  hoy,  Ixjfd  Muntaliep — Mr.  Karlscourt's  cUki  brolhn 
Dp  the  evei  ing  of  the  twenty-sixth  of  Sej^ember,  1  founxl  I.Ofi  , 
Vf  untalien  alone  in  the  library,  walking  about  in  deep  tl.6ughL 
fie  took  me  into  his  contidence.  After  making  n<e  give  s 
promise  of  profound  secrecy,  he  unfolded  his  plans.  He  was 
iiifatuatedly  in  love  with  tht  bailiflf's  daughter,  and  his  passion 
was  returned,  bu»  Miss  Warren  hail  fixed  princi()U«  in  virtue, 
and  self-respect,  religion,  and  ail  that,  and  would  not  iasten  to 
a  word  without  thi*  weddintf-ring.  He  could  not  iiiafry  he^'- 
and  he  could  not  W^i-e  her.  what  ^as  to  be  done  ?  Why  tIniT 
with  my  friendly  hel'>  Alice  was  tolgo^ofl  pdvately  to  London 
— he  was  to  follow  vx*  ilay  on  ihe^u'et.  J  was  to  find  some 
ohe  ab'.e  anil  willing  to  play  parson,  and  a  mock  marriage  was 
to  satisfy  every  doub*.  every  scruple.  It  was  a  neforious  ploL 
/  am  not  s<|^<eamish,  but  i*  sickened  evrn,  me.  1  had  no  rea^ 
son  to  like  l-ord  Montali^r — he  had  don^  me  an  injury  year& 
before,  which  1  had  neith'u  forgotten  no*-  forgiven,  and  though 
ir«  tbifmed  outwardly  (n»»n'li«,  1  had  svi-o-n  revenge  u|K*n  the 
St  op|K)rtunity.  -  Here  wis  nhe  oppoiiuo»'ty.  1  promised  all 
le  demanded,  and  l«:ft  for  I  ondon  eailv  rext  liiornmg  to  ar- 
range preliminaries.  Miss  Wi^en  had  be^n  s)>oken  to  by  his 
lordship,  and  had  consentrd  to  the  secret  n«^.rriage.  .  1  believe 
she  loved  htm  devotedly,  she  hsd  no  tnouph*  of  doubt  or  de-  . 
ception.  His  lordship  menti'ined  to  nie,  as  in' excellent  joke, 
that  his  brother  <iuy  had  told  him  he  was  {lining  up  to  towu 
that  evening,  and  he  had  instructed  Alice,  U'  «he  met  him  al  , 
^the  station,  to  beg  his  protection  dunng  the  i^ur^ry.  In  si) 
mnocence,  the  girl  obeyed,  in  all  fnendliness  and  good-naiuie, 
Guy  sjLw  h:r  safely  to  her  destinatiorL  1  know  from  her  own 
li|>s  that  he  knew  nothing  of  her  object,  that  he  strongly  s»»- 
pected,  and  urged  her  to  4um  back  while  there  wa.s''  yet  time. 
That  she  positively  refused,  and  that  it  was  at  her  entreaty  he 
%ent  witn  her  that  Srst  night  to  Mrs.  Howe's  lo^diitjs  Totteiv 
44ni  Court  RoacL     When  1  left  l^ord  Montalien.  I  had  a  piaa 


^  vertgeance  in  my  head.     1  liked 


]|j|d  an  ol  1  grudge,  as  1  said  before,  to  wipe  out  «gain»t  hun 
^1  went  to  an  ai^quaintance  of  uune,  newly  onlained^  and  ami 


/ 


*TM 


'err' 


'Vi 


4at> 


itM  Raamm 


4> 


1- 

ti  the  (sMiidi  of  St  EtLelfrida,  in  the  city,  and  fold  Hn  tin 
jthole  ttory.  1  told  h.Ti,  by  iterfonning  the  marriage  ccreimmj, 
he  would  be  preventing  a  grcfxt  crime.  He  consented  to  per- 
form It  The  Heedful  license  was  procured,  rx>rd  MontaJiqi 
arrived  the  foUcwing  day,  and  about  six  o'clock  in  the  eveiung 
tile  marriage  rite  was  o/er,  I,  and  an  old  woman,  bring  the 
witnesses.  1  saw  no  more  of  ATice  until  ihf  high:  fireviotis  to 
my  departure  from  Englund.  1  had  s|ioken  of  her  lo  his  lord 
«hip  on  several  occasions,  but  he  was  always  impatient  and  in 
tolerant  of  the  subject-  told  rae  she  was  well,  an«l  that  it  was 
necessary  for  me  to  know  no  more.  Once  he  swore  that  he 
had  been  a  fool,  that  he  had  been  sick  to  death  of  her  in  a 
w«ek,  and  that  he  wanted  to  gee  her  out  of  London  if  he  «,ouid. 
She  was  beginning  to  be  a  horrible  nuisance,  as  such  wowen 
always  were.  He  adniiued  on  this  occasion  that  he  had  re., 
moved  her  frohi  (iilbert's  Gardens.  He  said  that  contempti- 
ble spy,  his  brother,  had  been  to  see  her,  that  she  had  written 
to  him,  and  made  a  devil  of  a  scene.  1  knew  Cluy  Farlscourt 
was  consitlercd  die  companion  of  her  dight.  i  never  contra- 
dicted the  rumor. 

".Go  the*  night  preceding  my  departure  for  Australia,  Xt 

Earlscoua  and  I  dined  together  at  the  Cuards'  Club,  and  ther 

set  out  Kjr  a  saunter,  although  the  night  was  storniy.     It  wai 

the  2otl|  pf  December,  1  think.     On  our  way  along  the  Strand 

^'c^wawonian  hurrying  through  the  storm.     The  gas-light 

^^OJS^Tull  u|)on  her  as  she  passed  us,  and  *v'e  both  knew  Alice. 

.ft  was  quite  as  nuich  as  I  could  do  to  recognixe  her— si  r 

looked  so  ill,  so  wretched,  so  poorly  clad.     She  stopped  at 

light  of  us,  and  said  she  wanted  to  sjieak  to  me.     Mr.  Fjirls- 

court  iMissed  on.     She  asked  me,  in  a  wild  sort  of  way,  if  I 

knew  where  •  Frank'  was,  meanmg  Ix)rd  Montalien.     He  had 

not  been  to  see  her  for  many  weeks  ;  she  was  dying  of  wani 

Wid  Iniscry,  and  she  had  heard  he  was  in  London,  and  paying 

Attention  to  a  young  lady  of  wealth  and  position.     Was  thii' 

true  ?     \  told  her  it  was  ;  that  rumor  said  he  was  on  the  verge 

of  iiianiage  with  the  young  lady  in  question     that  I  considered 

her  sbaniefully  ill-used,  and  that  hhe  should  go  at  once  to  hii 

Iddgings  in  St  Jar?es  Street  and  deiiiand  the  acknowledg-iient 

of  her  lightr      Sfe  went  with  me.     J  took  her  to  LonI  MvHitap 

li'»n*f  lodgings  Mid  waited  outside  while  she  went  in.     I  meant 


-In  calh  ui>on  himifterwarr!  t  lyse.f  oii  a  littTe  Miartri  brinyowfiT 
the  was  gone  about  half  an  hour,  then  came  out  ak^ne.  She 
litcined  to  have  receivsd  some  hotrible  akock^  «Le  staggerod 


^- 


kkTki^uTicti. 


-W 


^ 


•nd  fen  as  she  toadied  'the  pavement     I    uilled  a  tab  and 
placed^  her  in  it,  gave  the  man  her  address,  (she  hao  told  m« 
pieviously,)  and  told  him  to  place  her  in  the  landlady's  cari». 
When  J  went  back,  and  was  admitted  to  an  int'>rview  with  hii 
kmlship,  he  seemed  greafy  disturbed  and  angry,     i  to'd  hira  1 
had  met  Alice  in  the  street  and  sent  her  home.     He  swort 
jyei  it,  anc'  wished  we  had  both  iwnshed  in  the  storm.     1  toli 
mm  1  «vas  on  the  eve  of  sailing  for  Australia,  and  asked  hia 
for  ihiee  tlioutand  |)our.ds      He  laughed  at  me.     I  told  hin 
bis  secret  was  worth  that.     He  asked  what  secret.     'Jhat  Alice 
Warren,  the  bailiffs  daughter,  was  his  lawful  we<l«1ed  wife.  I  an- 
sweretl.     He  refused  to  believe  at  first.     1  speedily  convinced 
liim,  however,  and  referred  him  to  the  clergj-man  who  had  luar- 
ried  h;m.     If  he  did  not  give  me  the  sum  I  demanded,  I  would 
go  instantly  to  the  young  lady  he  was  trying  to  marry,  and  tefr 
hef  all.     That  thought  brought  him  to  terms.     He  gave  me  a 
chei-.k  for  the  money,  and   I  gave  him  my  promise  to  still  kee/' 
the  matter  secret.     The  expression  of  his  face  made  me  uneasy 
I  siop|)ed  in  the  doorway,  and  asked  him  not  to  be  hard  oc 
her,  Alice;  that  she  was  not  to  blame.     His  answer  was,  '/ 
ktimv  what  I  oive  her,  and  hmv  to  deal  with  her.'     Next  Jay  1 
left  Kngland.    My  return  now  is  purely  accidental.  Nothing  coii-  ' 
nected  with  this  story  brought  me  back.     Alice  Warren  was  the 
lawful  wedded  wife  of  Francis,  I^rd  Montalien.     The  Registrar 
of  the  Church  of  St.  Kthelfrida  will  conhrm  my  statement." 

Mr.  Stednian  was  allowed  to  stand  down,  and  Mrs.  Young 
8Uin::ioned  She  was  carried  in  and  placed  upon  a  chair,  be 
uig  unable  to  stand.  Her  evitlence  was  drawn  from  her  gently 
and  the  examination  made  as  brief  as  jKissible,  in  consideration 
of  her  weak  sute.  She  couliln't  remember  dates,  but  she 
thought  it  w*  late  in  the  month  of  November  that  a  gentle- 
man can.e  and  to«>k  her  two  pair-back  for  a  ladju  a  Mrs. 
8rovn.  "  No,"  surveying  Guy  from  head  to  foot ;  "  not  a  till 
lit  Lin  ;  fairer,  and  not  so  go<xl-lopking.  Would  know  him 
itain,  she  wa3  cf  rtain,  if  she  saw  him.  Mrs.  Brown  catne  next 
lay ,  a  |>oor,  pale,  sickly  young  creature,  with  notiiirg  to  sav, 
*nd  a  broken  hearted  lock  like.  She  sus|K?cted  something 
wiong  from  the  first,  but  did  not  inquire.  She  was  a  poor 
woman,  and  glad  to  let  her  IcMlgings  without  asking  too  nany 
■  tUlcatlonfc     'fhe  gentleman^amc  next  day.  and  ntaye<l  o»*r  an^- 


houi  with  a  sick  man  ui>stair9.  When  he  was  gone  she  aaked 
Mr*.  Bmwn  if  that  was  any.rreianon. '  She  answered  he  wai 
k«r  htuband.    After  that  6nt  vmt  he  never  entered  the  houif 


.■bM. 


y- 


]  -iv- 


4aS 


RETRIBUTION. 


\.  *-• 


tmt  once  ag^n,  and  that  was  the'da>  before  Chiistiias  ere 
That  afternoon  she  let  him  in  herself.  Mrs.  Brown  was  c.«ttei 
then,  and  able  to  sit  up.  Had  been  ill  from  the  night  the  cab 
man  fetched  ner  back  ;  remembered  it  vriy  well.  She  had 
watched  wheti  he  went  away;  He  did  not  sUy  over  half  as 
hour.  Mrs.  Brown  came  out  of  her  room  when  he  was  goM 
with  a  sort  of  joyful  loo!;,  and  paid  her  bill  out  uf  half  a  dozei 
loverv'igns,  and  told  her  her  husband  was  coming  eatly  next 
OD  Jiriing  to  take  her  away  for  good.  *  I  am  going  home,  Mrs 
Young,'  she  says ;  *  to  my  dear,  <lear  home,  down  in  Lincoln 
shire,  and  uiy  husband  is  gomg  to  acknowledge  our  marriage 
at  last.  He  is  much  above  me  in  rank,  and  cuuld  nut  do  it 
any  sooner.  He  is  coming  for  me  to^ioirow  morning  at  eight 
o'rlock.'  I  never  saw  any  one  so  changed  and  happy. 
She  told  me  next  morning  she  hadn't  slept  a  wink  all  night 
for  joy.  She  could  eat  no  breakfast,  and  she  was  dressed  at 
hslf-past  seven  and  waiting  for  him.  Me  and  my  dangh 
w;re  on  the  watch,  loo.  A  few  minutes  i>efore  eight,  i  thi 
ii  was,  a  man  drove  uj)<  to  the  door.  He  was  nuiffled  up 
if  at  degree  from  the  storm  thai  his  faoe  could  not  be  seen,  but 
J  knew  him  by  his  shape  and  his  long,  fair  hair.  ^  Frank  t 
}  rank  !'  1  heard  Mrs.  Brown  say,  in  a  joyful  son  oi  wa_y,  undei 
\  sr  breath ;  and  then  she  bid  me  good  by  and  ran  down  to 
)  im.  He  helped  her  up  beside  him  and  diove  away  I  hav? 
Mever  seen  either  of  them  since.  I  am  sure  she  called  hin 
frank ;  can  swear  to  it.  I  am  certain  1  snmitn  Know  nua 
tgain,  Look  and  teU  you  if  I  see  him?  Very  well.  "Diatt 
aot  him,"  })ointing  to  Guy  ;  "  not  a  bit  like  him." 

She  ga/ed  slowly  all  around  the  court.  A  hundred  eyos  wen 
turned  breathlessly  on  Lord  Montalien.  He  stood  stock-still, 
ipeil bound,  never  moving.  Her  eyes  fell  upon  hin.  at  last, 
^e  uttered  a  cry,  half  rose  up,  one  flickering  finger  i)ointed 
Itraight  at  him. 

"That's  him  I  That's  the  man  Mrs.  Brown  called  her  hni 
bond  I  the  man  who  brought  her  to  my  place,  who  took  hei 
ftway  at  eight  o'clock  on  Christinas  eve  morning,  six  years  ago. 
1  hat' shim.     Thafshtmf 

The  breathless  silence  of  the  court  was  brokei.  by  a  hoar86> 
aiigry,  surging  murmur,  like  the  dull  roar  of  the  sea.  The  ex- 
citement of  Uie  day  had  auained  its  climax.  And  still  IxKd 
Mon^dieiritdod,  to  a  strange  ^wjrt  of  TipathciK  trance,  teokinf- 
quietly  abont  him,  as  though  lonie  one  else,  no*,  he,  were  tilt 
Umixt  tnd  «ud  of  all  tlwsc  angry  eyea 


tei  JHM 

t<*w*-  .■ 


..■!f^iii% 


iV- 


'f  '^  'i^T^f*.   ■ 


MMfXlMor/OM 


4*9 


itet  JMB 

'"HP' 


.',*^ 


Any  Ear'taconit  was  diimissed—a  warrant  was  made  otit  oii 

c  soot  for  the  arrest  of  lK>rd  Moi.talien.  The  heavy  hand 
oi  Inspector  Rurnham  fell  with  grim  satisfaction  u|  on  his 
ahourdcr,  and  still  he  never  roused.  A  numbness  was  ovr: 
his  ui.'nd,  his  brain  felt  paralyzed,  a  bluish  pallor  lay  fix  div  c-r 
ids  face,  his  eyes  looked  straight  before  him  at  notJiing,  wiili  « 
nghtliss  stare.  Th»;y  led  him  from  the  court -room.  He  wen 
passively.  Once  he  looked  back.  He  saw  hi?  br*  ik«r,  su? 
roundel'  ny  an  ea^^er  throng  shaking  hands  and  congraiulaiiof 
him.     Iheii  gunce  met. 

He  tiLneii  away— he  had  looked  his  last  on  the  face  of  the 
brother  he  hao  natcd  all  his  life. 

He  was  taken  to  the  room  Guy  had  yesterday  occupied,  and 
Jeft  alone.  It  wis  ahnost  dark,  the  summer  twilight  linger»-.d 
softly  in  tl.e  st  eeia,  but  the  prison-room  was  full  of  shadows. 
Still  the  sense  oi  nis  awful  situation  did  not  come.  He  felt 
tired,  his  hewl  seemed  sleepy,  that  dull  pain  still  in  the  region 
of  his  heart.  He  lay  down,;  dressed  as  he  was,  ujion  the  bed, 
and  almost  instantly  |ell  into  a  heavy  sleep.  It  was  more  like 
stupor  than  sieep  ;  and,  after  some  hours,  disturbed  dreams 
oroke  it.  \  black  and  temble  nver  lay  before  him,  heaving 
onrkT  a  black  and  stormy  sky.  On  the  other  side  a  golden 
lano  shone  ;  and  on  that  op|H>site  shore  he  saw  Alice.  Not  as 
he  had  seen  her,  once  beautiful  and  bright,  and  happy,  but 
ghastly  pale  and  with  the  bloo^  streaming  from  a  frightful 
wound  in  the  left  temple.  She  was  on  her  knees  as  she  had 
fallen  where  he  had  killed  her,  her  hands  were  clasped,  th« 
words  she  had  faltered  in  her  death  agony  she  was  Irjing  to 
speak  again : 

"Oh,  (lod  have  mercy  on  me— and— forgive — "  she  couJd 
never  finish  the  prayer.  If  she  could,  it  seemed  to  him  h* 
might  have  crossed  the  roaring  river,  and  reached  that  goldei 
Other  shore  in  safety.  But  the  words  died  on  her  hiJs— the 
Uack,  bitter  waters  were  irgulhng  hmi,  and  with  a  cry  of  pain 
And  tenor  he  awoke. 

He  tat  up  ir.  bed,  the  jwrspiration  standing  heavy  on  hii 
brow.  And  thought  and  memory  returned  with  an  awful  pang  I 
He  lat  up  in  the  lonely  prison  darkness,  and  heard  a  distant 
drck  tolling  one. 

He  Mtt  up.  and  thought  of  rmyiree^anJ  himself  h«rfe- 


•*■  ttc  husband  of  Paulina,  and  Ae  was  the  murderer  of  Alice 
Guy  wouid  inherit  the  title  and  esutes,  his  children  and  Fauliiu'i 
)||ii|lil  grow  up  ainid  tke  green  beanty  of  Montalien,  and  he— 


,-_^ 


m 


0i^i!^n  , 


£M.-^c, 


X^Bwiiiii 


..^i. 


430 


sBMmt  rwMLxs.^ 


A  vmon  of  a  my  4awn  rose  before  him — of  a  pk^ttfi,  e$gm 
crowd— of  a  scaflbld,  ghasily  in  the  chill  light— of  a  condemned 
man,  led  foffh  to  die.  Me  fell  down  on  the  bed  with  a  second 
cry — a  cry  of  anguish  and  despair,  and  lay  8*ill. 

Next  morning,  when  the  jailer  brought  in  his  hrcakfaxt  ac 
was  surprisedto  find  his  prisoner  still  asleep.  He  placed  tbf 
Ue.ikikst  noiselessly  down,  and  stole  ouL  At  ten  o'clock  i 
tentleman  called  to  see  Lord  Munialien.  He  was  a  ^el 
known  and  eminent  physician,  one  of  those  whoni  hi$  IbrJship' 
had  lately  consulted.  He  looked  very  grave  as  the  jailer  If^ 
him  to  the  pnsoh«*r's  room,  and  toUl  how  he  had  found  him 
asleep  wh^n  he  brought  in  his  breakfast 

*'\nsieep]  Are  you  sure  he  was  ooly  asleep?"  the.doctof 
asked. 

**  Well,  I  thought  so,  sir,"  the  than  answered  surprised.     "  1 
'  did  not  examine,  of  course." 

They  entered  together.  I^rd  Montalien  lav  in  the  same 
position,  rigid  and  slill.  The  doctor  approachetl  the  Inrtl,  bent 
down,  listenicd  as  if  ^or  His  breathmg,  placed  his  hand  uiion  the 
region  of  his  heart,  felt  the  puisp,  and  stood  upright,  lie  was 
very  pale.  ,*^    « 

"  It  liis  I  suspected,"  he  said'gravely ;  "  1  kufw  it  would  luU 
him.     My  fnend,  your  prisoner  has  got  his  discharge." 

**  Good  God,  sir  1 "  the  jauler  cried,  horror-struck ;  *'  do  fWi 
mean — " 

*'  1  mean  that  he  is  dead  I " 

]r  was  true.  Friendleis  and  alone  in  the  dismal  prison-rooi^ 
die  dark  spirit  of  Alice  Wanen's  murdeicc  had  gone  fm;^  tu 
answsi  Ibl  its  crimes.  ^' 


n: 

1 

/ 

:;   ^           m 

... 

J 

m 

na 

' 

tef 

V^ 

<  '■- 

an 

on 

1 

^  ■ 

thii 

"  ■ 

"\ 

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cou 

\ 

for 

- 

■         .      *-<!Oll 

' 

4K>I 

ne 

CIUPrER  X. 


'SBMrSR  PIDKUS.* 


Y  thff  last  train  leaving  Tx)ndori  for  Tjncolnshke,  Guy 

Karlscourt  reached  i?|>eckhaven.     What  new  hope  wa> 

sweet  atid  strong,  ilnR  Hushed  his  <lark  bee  and  lit 

into  £re  the  dreamy  glow  of  his  wuthem  eyes?     Fm 

time — the  very  nrst,  the  thought,  the  hope,  hii4 


ii' 


,i;:'rf|K^4vi^ 


*MiS^ .-. 


-SEMFMF.    WIDMUS.^ 


4|l 


i 


^  itttnd,  that  perhaps  after  &i:  in  i|Mte  of  alL  he  aid  i  fmn 
m  tke  heart  of  Pauhna. 

It  was  not  that  she  haJ  appeared  and  told  her  tryinf  ttdn 
m  court  to  save  him  ;  she  wouW  have  saved  in  like  manned  any 
man  in  England,  endangered  thiough  act  of  hers,  at  all  costs  to 
torselC  It  was  not  that.  It  was  the  look,  the  sniile  she  had 
|iTen  htn^  such  a  look  as  she  had  never  bestowed  upon  him 
imce  that  moonlit  night  long  ag  j,  when  they  had  stood  togeiha 
on  the  baJcony  at  Brighton. 

It  was  very  late  when  ce  reached  the  town— too  late  to 
Ulink  of  presenting  himself  af  the  cottage.  He  went  to  the 
"Montaheh  Anns"  for  the  night,  but,  1  am  afraid,  Mr.-  Karls- 
court  slept  even  less  than  he  kad  ddne.on  the  eve  of  his  trial 
for  murder.  *    . 

At  the  earliest  possible  horr  next  morning,  he  was  at  the 
«ottage.      It  was  a   glorious  August  day,  and    smoking   his 
«orning  agar,  in  Rosanna's  1-ttle  flower  garden,  quite  done 
oe  saw  Robert  IJsle.     The  eller  man  advanced  toward  hint 
mih  a  cordial  smile  and  an  out  •••retched  hand. 

"Welcome  again  to  ,Speckh  wen  !  1  hjid  no  time  to  c„mt 
iratulate  you  yesterday,  and— ;  kne^,  of  coui-se,  you, would  be 
here.     I  have  hearc*  aH.     How  does  ht  bear  his  arrest  ?V 

"  I  haye  not  heard.  I  had  i  ot  the  neiVe  to  visit  him— he 
would  no*  wish  it,  I  know.     Aid,  besides,  nj.y  Awt  duty  was 

**!**••  u  !l"'*"w,r*'°''~"  »^«storiMrdabnii.tlynith  the  question 
unfinished.     What  muSt  Paulina  s  fafther  Junk  of  him  f 
.    "  Paulina  is  well— Ou  bi-tter  an  1  calmer  than  I  dared  to  hope 
Insteadof  injuring, yesterday's  ecciteiiient  has  seemed  to  help  • 
Jer.    The  consciousness,  I  suppise,  of  a  painful  dutyi  per- 
fernied  bravely,  must  s^ways  bring  its  own  consolation." 

J'  And  you  know  ?    She  has  toW  you—" 

'*  All— everything  I  You  did  hei  a%i  Mt  serf  ice,  Guy-  witk 
1  Otaye  self,abnegation  ahd  generosity  few  men  in  your  porix 
«M  would  Ka^e  shown,     i,  her  father,  thank  you." 

Gny  looked  at  him  abnost  incretlulously.  That  he  could  view 
It  in  this  light  he  had  never  dared  to  dreajm. 

.'  1*^*J  ^"  *'«'  ^"^  ••  for  talcing  advanu^e  of  her  innocenc« 
•cd  hsliilessness,  and  bimling  her  for  lUg  to  an  outcast,  an  oat 
amf  llave  you  forgotten  tKai,  buf fbfnic,  IVulina  would  nam 
•e  Marchionrss  of  t:f«atheiland  ?" 

;^iiMgetiwthing-^-ihat>wi^^i^ 

•"l^  *?'^  ^°^  '**^'™  "**■  Amcnca,  aumna  tW"  c^n.'- 
.TfWhfl4p?oviMifi^'' 


"» 


>. 


#1 


■  *.if^i. 


iiillilHil' 


.S^k' 


-t'i- 


/■• 


■    I 


■•■'■"  \, 


43a 


'  i'. 


Mr.  Lisle  smiled. 

••  Go  ask  Miss  Lisle— I  beg  her  pardofi  and  yours— 4fr«. 
Earlscourt.  Don't  stand  there  during  in  that  stupid  way. 
£f  she  does  not  1  egret  having  missed  inarryin^g  the  Mar- 
quis <i\  Heaiherland,  I  should  think  you,  after  the  con- 
fession you  made  me  the  other  day  in  prison,  would  ^ot." 

••And  she  does  not  regret  it  ?"  cried  GUy,WipaihleS^r. 

•*  For  Heaven's  sake,  Lisle — " 

,         ••  Mr.  EailscoMrt,  will  you  permit  liie  to  finish  my^gjif 

in  peace?     If  tn'ere  is  or^  thing  that  I  detest  more  thaAJ 

.  Another  it  is  beiug  badgered   in  this  way  over  my  after-' 

Oreakfa^t  smoke.     My  daughter  is  in  the  parlor  yonder-^ 

you  know  the  way      Any  questions  of  this  delicate  nature, 

diat  you  have  to  r»opound  put  them  to  her— don't  annof 

Mte,    Go!"  ^ 

He  \vaved  his  hand  authoritatively,  and  turne(|^his  back 
upon  his  questioner.  Guy  started  impetuously  forward-^ 
impetuosity  was  not  one  of  his  most  striking  traits,  but  his^ 
heart  was  throbbing<at  this  instant,  as  perhaps  |hffiiJ«v<t^ 
.  trained  ofgan  hail  never  throbbed  beforc;„_Jiri^asiri  thfl 
parlbr  and  in  the  preset iiicej>LJl?^tHTtTa^:;^  Miss  Ros- 
anna  Maso»  might  tell  in.  after  days,  lie  never  could. 

Site  was  quiteulone — s^erose  up  at  his  abrupt  eu' ranee. 
••Paulina  !"     "Guy!" 

The  names  broke  so  naturally  from  both  their  lips,  that 
U  would  have  been  the  vert^t  mockery  to  repress  them. 
Both  h:r  hands  were  in  his,  and  he  was  speaking  rapidly, 
incoherently. 

"1  have  come  to  thank  you^I  have  not  words  to  thank 
you,  for  your  un,heard-of  generosity  of  yesterday.  I  have 
not  deserved  it,  but  my  gratitude  is'  none  the  less,  Paulina 
— you  are  the  bravest,  the  noblest  woman  on  earth  !" 

"Oh,  hush!"  she  cried',  shrinking  away  with  a  look  of 
pain.     "I    noble!  I    brave!  1    have    been   selfish  and  a 
coward  from  firs*,  tp  last.     Such   words  joi  praise  seem 
ike  a  bitter  mockery  from  your  lips,  of  all  men  !" 

"They  are  true — true  as  Heaven.  I  have  fanciefl,  in 
die  past,  that  you  hated  me — 1  gave  you  reason,  I  know^ 
^ut,  in  the  hour  when  I  thought  you  abhorred  xx\^  most, 
i  never  failed  to  do  you  justice.     It  was  my  rightful  pun 


./ 


ishmeiM— t+tat 


yt'u.  str^emie,  so^weerttMrtt^ttae  reft  oT 
th«  world,  should  hate  me!"    ' 

'•Ifate  you !"  she  withdrew  her  h:inds  from  him,  and  sank 

back  in  her  seat  <•  Oh,  blind  I  blind!  blind*"  Hewasbend* 


I 


**SEMPMM    Wl.r'BLIS.'^ 


4j>j 


hlin-~ai'  .jc  living  man  or  iroman  had  ever  sect  Gjr  Eark. 

0  >urt,  |K)unng  forth  his  words  in  a  torrent 

"Mavelljeen  Wind  I  Car.  you  care  for  me,  after  all  Pan- 
T^\  I  !-'ave  teen  unworthy,  but  since  the  hou.  that  inaaem* 
fyy  hjsbaruL  I  have  nev^-  done  that  which  wcjuld  have  been 

*  :!ti  r""  '"^'""'^-  \  ^*^*=  '**"^*="  »°  "^-d  »  bene,  and 
,<H.  t.  hfe.     Your  memory  a  ad  my  great  love  foi  you  have  been 

w/    rrdempinu.     1    have   striven  to  redeem   Ly  name   arj 

1?^'  k"m''"v  '°  *'*'•'  °"*i  '*'*>'^*^*  ^"'l  vilencs/of  the  oast. 
Uaough  all  th.-se  y.ars  1  /.ave  had  no  hope,  no  thought,  that 
KO.  .oulJ  ever  care  for  i.e.  F.ven  n^w^if  you  sayt.t  The 
wo.  I,  I  go  and  leave  you  In  peace  forever;  but,  oh,  Paulina. 
pa?.:ng^rbe""  '  '"^ /^-"-^ow  buterer  than  d^ath  su^ 

1.«  i^/'^'^  '"■"1'^  ^^^  *  «""*  ^^""0"  o^  t-ndeme«s  and ' 
Jes  ,*n  at  even  th.  thought.  Then  the  hands  mat  had  been 
with  Irawn  claspwl  his  own  once  more  of  their  own  accord. 
iTsjCfker''*'''  '''''*'  ''"'"  ^^^"^  bravely- though  trembung  Z 
"  Juy,  six  years  ago,  I  forgot  my  womanhood  and  asked 
rou  .o  marry  me.  ,  ask  a  greater  boon  now-^i  ask  you  to 
•oyp  nit  and  stay  with  me."  /""  ^ 

"  |auhna ! "  with  a  breathless  cry  of  wonder  and  great  joy  • 

do     hear  you  anght?     Do  you  not  hate  me.  thel.  after  all  ?- 

Mate  y<Hi  !      she  iook.-d  at  him.  wjlh  si.meth.ng  between  a 

Uujn  and  a  sob.     -  Oh,  ( >uy !     I  have  loved  you  all  my  hfe  I ' 

A  lid  then.  IS    xuy  Karlscourt  held  her  to  his  heart  in  a  ran- 

lure  too  intense  for  words,  be  knew  that  the  woman  he  hid 

■red  ir-J  lu  ycarf  ago  was  his  wirs  at  laat  |  ^ 


rW 

■f 


\    3 


-t- 


Before  the  sun  srt  that  August  day,  the  Ceremony  per- 
formed  before  the  London  registrar  was  repeated  by Vhe 
rt^tor  of  S|)eckhaven,  in  Diike  Mason's  little  parlor  The 
bn.lew.uld  have  vt  s...  She  shrank  then,  and  will  to  the  Ia«,t 
day  of  hi  r  life,  from  the  m.  moty  of  thi.t  terrible  time  '  and 
very  quietly  the  ceremony  was  re  perforn^ed,  ani^  church,  as 
well  as  Stata^ made  her  Ouy  Earlscourt's  wife. 
J«Iay.  ( ;  uy  J^ri scourt  no  m< >re.    Ten  minutes  aftfcr  the  hen. 


^=edreFRm=wp-pfnnmfrcear^^ 
looking  gdntleman,  in  1  lack,  who  took  Guy  asiHe,  and  wW 
J*?f:**y?  ii*»  «^  ihe  news  qi  hi9  brother  s  death  in  orwyn, 


."fej'S 


m 


ar^J!W»^iwiwia  ■Bfc.r' 


^"'■^  ^'■■-  ■■■■■ 


,^L4i.^_W 


^^ 


.^) 


434 

It  gave  Mm  a  pwig— the  tho-ght  of  *•«  he  had  diea,  tai 
tpkere  was  not  a  creature  on  earth  to  tcAiy  rt^rerthe  dead 
MO.  And  so,  m  the  very  hour  of  her  niarruire,  Paulina  was 
Lady  Monta!:<n.  Thffy  quitted  England  aiTnce,  and  went 
abroad  for  theur  honeymoon. 

I^ndon  was  ringing  with  their  strangely  romanric  stori  II 
wiMiki  be  as  well  to  keep  quietly  out  of  sight  until  the  wn» 
days^  wonder  was  ended.  Their  love  was  only  intensifie.i  , 
hundredfold  by  all  they  had  suflcred_by  theu  long  years  tA 
esuangin^nt  and  separation. ' 

"AnJl  ji^had  spoken  that  night  at  Brighton,"  Guy  asked 
Iiei  once,  "  what  would  your  answer  have  been  ?  You  ren.eni. 
**?  "*J."'8ht,  when  you  offered  to  pay  my  debts  ?  If  I  had 
Mid,  'Miss  Lisle,  do  nie  the  favor  to  toke  me,  as  well  as  my 
debts,  what  would  your  answer  have  been  ?  " 

"Yes,  and  thank  you.  sir,  for  asking,"  Paulina  replied,  with 
•6nie  of  her  old  sauciness.  "  1  rememher  very  well  l.oid 
Montahen.  No  need  to  remind  me  i»f  my  follies.  Oh,  Ouy  I 
how  stupid  the  cleverest  of  you  men  are  ahoiu  these  thii.L's. 
Anybody  bat  you  could  ha. s  *jen  thai  I  loved  you  l.esi  w!,ep 
Uuied  you  most-no,  1  don't  »-an  that-you  necdn'4  laugh 

Hot  I  think-  Guy  understood  her— no  ore  could  realize  his 
own  bhn<1i<e.ss  and  stupidity  rhore  than  he  did. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lisle  went  to  Lvnduh  Court,  in  Staffordshire. 

Where  the  first  happy  months  of  their  clandestine  inaniauc  had 

been  spent     On  the  way  Olivia  i^assed  near  The  Kirs,  and 

lent  a  loving,  motherly  ierter  to  Maud.     She  could  not  enter 

a  house  owned  by  Sir  Vane  Charteris,  but  her  mother's  heart 

yearned  for  ^r  child,  evfn  though  not  the  child  of  her  love. 

Come  to  me,  Maud,"  the  said.     "  Come  to  your  mother,  wira 

loves  you,  my  darling.    The  past  has  been  bitter  for  its  both 

we  wiU  try  to  make  >t>M  as  happy  in  the  future,  even  as  I  aq 

Jappy.     In  my  husband  you  will  find  the  temli-rrsi  of  lafl.cifc 

Come  to  me  at  once."     Arid  poor  Maud  had  gone -wan  and 

hollow^yed.  and  wi-tched  looking.     Her  father's  wrongHJcini 

had  fallen  bitterly  upon  her— sue  shrank  from  his  met'ory— 

Ibe  never  taw  or  wwhed  to  see  hun  again.     1  hey  to<»k  hei  with 

Otem  to  Lyndith  Conit,  and  in   Rolrrt   Lisle  Maud   indeed 

Ibond  the  t^derest  of  fithers.     And  Mr*  Calbiaith,  after  her 

bnef  retttra  to  that  br^rni  world  she  toved  so  dearly,  found  her 

-MT  coodanued  «»^il  cod  the  bm  qt  i^r  ^y|  te 

4wpp  ««l  4mtmm  >Mt  r»vk$,  ' 


'^(l  ■ 


''ft 


Of  Sir  Vane  Ckaiiri.   i  .^ 

•nd  inUroerrM  bv  lifc     T^  r*'"'  «y  that  1m»  ^  ,«fcfc^ 

iret  or  gr.«.ve  for  h,.n  .„,„  h^  wi.'i:^i:         *  '^"^  '^^'^  ^  "■ 

»urshng  a.;«av«.     In  th^  .  J       ""*'»«•  and  cru-d  out  for  int» 
.       Cr.yon%eajZ.'  pr.si  '^^  ''^  '-"''^i.  there  hu,;*i 

cne,n  wherever  they  ^rnerl      L  nT.f""'*''*  '^''''^y  ^'«*«    OB 

'  Ro8an„a.  years  anriiC      ^  "  **''  '^•■'»  «»«  delUjht       Fo. 

.er  h«...;S\,- j^--l^;;; -^  .lo.ng  their  aS'w.r^ 

together  she  was  lard  L  noS^  '  f  h^k"*?  '^^^  'l^''-  ^^or  day,' 
than  ri-nce  of  eu.ploJ.L  rservi^  J°'''''^*'**^ '^^'^«° '"«» 
•cutitecJ  wi:h 'scorn.    1^  *"**     ^"^   ^  «ie»  Itoianna 

ilave      I..,,  ,„  yoltr  rnl't'^daM^  IsV^""^  ^^^  ^-^ 

,«^as  character,st,Af?i;^S  trr    Vm'"''^''  '^"'^^  ^ 
oved  her  once,  that  nJo  rr  wo„!ln?  ''''*'  "^"'/^''^  '"'^"  "»«» 
their  hearts.     \Vhat  wa^ru^  Jnuj:  TJ  ""''"y^"  »>«  P'^cc  ir       , 
"^as  true  of  the  n.ost  nobk-  fhl  vf        """'  ^'"^  «^«ne-,,ainrer, 
Allan  ^ane,theartist  in?   Lv  L^^^^^^^^^^        f  K^cherlLnJ.  of 

Ae  had  o,.ce  .eigneci  she  VeLed  rr     '  "^^f  V^^^^^     *^''»<=« 
with  a  start.  signed  foiever.     Duke  looked  up 

toL''^:L'>''""n'    Of  course  I  do.     !:«.  Wcdne^Ujr.  . 

«;i.  of^Nclvefn^lrinTt.'S^^      ^'^l^^     '^'  the  J    ' 
*ny  idea  haw,  old  j'ou  Ic  ?"  ^^^     '^^'^  **»*^»^  h«ve  y«a 

^^^f^l.^r'^  -ther  .tartled  DuU 
•.Uskfor^ettinjo^rn^tai  ,^"°^^^^ 

"How  old   1   am?"   I>..i.-  u  j         ..  * 


J^erty iriiff  *^  .^         •  i '  "'"^  tig  forty  nipc.': .  ^ 

^"d^^l^T^S*^  '"^"'orecmelnrio.: 


/ 


1\ 


iMf. 


1^   ' 


:^" 


»%»-  ; 


'  1?^M(T"'. 


4S« 


•^SBifPBR  FlDELtS.* 


like  aij  Miot  In  that  way— you're  none  too  young,  are  yoH  ^  I 
iron't  have  a  slattern  of  a  servant  about  tlie  house,  and  som* 
•ne  must  ccune  to  ukp  charge  of  it  and  you.  'You  want  a  wife 
Go  and  get  married" 

"  Bui— good  gracious,  Rosanna^"  Duke  began,  ighatt,        \ 

"do — and— get— married  1 "   reiterated    Rc«anna,   ''i/ot  t 

— mird  iiow--<?o  is  1  tell  you  I     While  I  was  able  to  look  iJtct 

fou  it  was  all  very^velirBiir  I'm  getting  fit  for  nothing  wita  «W 

ilieaKunsin.    Go  and  get  mamed  I    Go  and  n-.arry  £UaM«t^ 

Krapp!" 

if  Rosanna  had  said,  "go  and  marry  one  of  the  Royal  Pna 
.  cesses,"  the  probabihties  are  Ihike  would  have. put  on  a  deal 
shirt,  gone  up  to  Buckingham  Palade,  and  made  the  attempt  at 
IpasL  He  did  rebel  family  now  ;  he  didn't  want  to  be  married 
— leakt  of  all  to  Klizabet  Knapp.  Miss  Knap|>  was  a  vary 
worthy  young  woman,  kA  wme  seven-and-thiriy  summers,  a 
model  housekeeper,  cook,  washer,  ironer.  and  plain  sewer,  but 
she  was  also  plain  in  [eaiure — uncommonly  plam,  indeecl,  aa 
frft^uently  seems  to  be  the  case  with  your  exemplary  unmarried 
j^omen  of  thirty-seven. 

Long  had  Miss  Knapp  secretly  sighed  for  Diike,  is  Rosanna 
^ery  well  knew,  though  h-  did  not.  She  had  revOli'ed  the  mat 
ter — ^somebody  raiist  co-oe  and  do  the  housekeeping,  irot 
Duke  s  shirts,  cook  his  dinners  and  teas,  and  dam  his  stockinga 
■^iAbeih  tilted  the  situation  better  than  any  one  jiersoij  Rofr 
^na  knew — she  was  easy-tempered,  too,  and  properly  in  awe 
^her  (Rosanna).     Yes,  Duke  must  marry  Kli/abeth  Knapp  I 

Six  weeks  lat  r,  there  came  to  Florence  a  pa<  kage  from 
England  for  I,o«l  and  l^dy  Montalien.  When  open«M  it  wa< 
(bund  to  contain  s<.*veral  slices  of  bride-cake,  of  the  bride's  cwa 
making,  and  a  letter  from  Duke,  very  subdued  and  huiuL4e  i» 
tone.  Wft  was  nurried.  He  had  married  Klizabeth  Krani— 
her  ladyship  would  recollect  her ;  and  he  and  KlizalieJj  acol 
their  love  and  duty.  Also  Rosanna  sent  hers,  and  was  cott 
fined  to  b«Ki  with  rheumatism  in  both  legs,  and  he  wai  the* 
•bedient  servant,  Duke  Mason. 

lady  Montalier.  actually  cried  ever  tbk  letter,  the  first  teaii 
«t^  had  shed  since  Guy  had  coiae  back  to  her. 

Dear  eld  Duke ! "  she  said,  with  a  soS  thi^t  ended,  ia  the 

laugh  :  '*  it  is  a 


41 


light  of  Guy's  provoking  smile,  in  a  hysterical       „    . 
^aliapie !     He  waa  tio  good  to  be  inarried I     How  can  vou  have 


Uie  heaii  to  look  like  dfiat,  sir,  wncn  my  heart  i 


-:^"IfT 


•11  ftfltanna's  doings,  and  i  wish  slw  had  W*  hiBa.aMN«*. .  ^  lov« 


4^% 


'»*■''#"• 


^x- 


^r|,j^ 


'*&RMrER  FIDE  US' 


te«fl 


43/ 


I  «noir  he'n 


l*»ik<,  and  1  nei/er  wantefd  to  see  him  marritxL 
be  niijierabke  I " 

^.She  \o^A  r)uke  !  Ay,  but  not  one  whit  not  one  thousandtk 
pait  as  Duke  loved  her.  He  married  llitahech  Knan,.,  and 
OrPtaght  her  home,  and  was  gentle  and  patient,  and  neldiig  to 
!»ei  always, >|  he  had  been  Xu  his  sister,  and  I  am  sinceie!v»U<l 
to  say,  that  h^as  not  miserable.  JUit  the  ha|.piest<<ours  irert 
ai^  iwurs,  he*|K:hl  before  that  crayon  head,  his  pipe  in  hiA>io;  th, « 
•rttful,  far-)ir  loo^n  his  pale-blue  eyes,  and  his  thonKhtW)»ck. 
••<*  years  ago  :mo^e  golden  time  of  his  life  with  •' I'ol^ 

he  was  the  most  f^hful  of  hitebands,  and  yiizabeth  ha^Inn 
caitse  to  cod.plam,  but>  her  heart  of  hearts  shw  -as  binerli> 
|«Uous  of  that  prctuie.  iS|ie  could  have  taken  it  down  and  uul 
I  It  in  ihe  hte  witt.  the  greatek  pleasure.  Duke  neyer  suspected, 
f^ut  Mis.  Mason  had  her  hoksehold  skeleton,  and  hid  it  awa7 
Ji  all  such  skeletons  aro  hidd^.  (if  Lady  Montalicn  herself. 
,6eautiful  and  ^acious,  she  nev^  thought  or  di earned  of  b.^ing 
jalous,  but  o  Polly  Mason's  uiW  she  was-  and  wU  be  t" 
me  la&t  day  of  h«r  life.  \  . 

And  miles  kway.  in  Allan  FanCtXstudio,  another  picture  of 
that  same  wnihng  ^rlish  .ace  hangt.\  Hr  is  wealthy  and  fum- 
ous  now-he  and  Lady  Montal.cn  meVt  bf-en  in  society,  and 
are  very  sincere  fnends  His  best  wish^  Are  for  her  and  Guy's 
oapp'.ness,  but  he  never  goes  to  Murisi|  .    .      .        ' 

^  Ihiought  of  remarrj-ii^      ^io  one  in  this  ^ 
be  to  him  again  quite  wnai  "Polly  "  was  _ 

Dine  years  a^o.     He  will  many  again  som^W.  no'doubC  bi 
r think  Mrs   h^,  niun  jer  two,  will  ha-  -  q4te  ai  good  xeaaon 
to  be  jealous  cf)i  picture  as  Mrs.  DiJce  Mabdip. 
^  Wintei,  »pr'>ig,  summer   passed,  and  when   September  lay 
DiTght  on  the^reen  giades  and  waving  trees  of  Montalien  Prt 
orv,  lA>fd  an^  Lady   Montalien  came  home.     Not  altogethet 
M  they  wcrt,  for  a  Swiss  nurse  accompanies  them,  and  then 
tea  dark -eyed  baby  in  long  rohies,  whom  thev  caU  "Robert," 
nd  who  is  the  heir  of  Montalien. 
I      I^e  following  spnng.  when  the  Ixindon  season  opened,  they 
ifeturnedjo  town,  and  took  their  place  in  that  brilliant  Ixjndoi 
„  wor.d  once  more.     They  were  flie  attraction  of  the  season— 
4U8  fame,  her  beauty,  and   their  romantic  storv  fonncd   the 


Iri,  and   he  has   no 
ijwer  world  will  ever 
that  lovely  June, 


Attnie  of  jueery  tongue,  Paulina  hatFherenemieaF^Tihe  WW  W6 
j>eautiful  not  to  have,  but  she  was  too  perfectly  happy  either  l» 
know  Or  care.  She  and  her  husband  love  each  other,  witli  • 
9i«M^pei»Ba  love,  rarely  aeeii. 


^^tt^ 


438 


SEMPER  FIDELIS: 


i  She  was  Shininiar  one  nijrht,  as  she  ever  shone,  the  star 
and  queen  of  a  spkndid  ball,  at  which  royalty  was  piesmt. 
A  prince,  with  rii  bors  and  orders  over  his  lich  iniiorm, 
approached  and  listened  to  a  gioup  of  ladies  discussing 

Lady  Montalicq.  ... ,  j    -..u 

"  Ambitions,  reckless,  and  a  coquette  !  he  repeated,  with 
a  smile;  pc  haps  so.  I  do  not  know— I  have  been  absent 
from  Kngland,  and  never  saw  Lady  Montalien  until  to- 
night. But  this  I  </<;know,  that  mver  kniglit  or  baron  cf 
all  his  nol  le  ra'-e  brought  home  to  Montalien  a  lovelier 
bride  than  Guy  Earlscourt !" 


^1 


!;■ 


1' 


^'iji.^tbi-Ale^.i 


'\ 


.1' 

I" 


^1 


.y.l 


t  ■ 
I 


\ 


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Nmt  Cloth  Bound  Eaitions, 


" There  i«  »  RreRt  differenc*  between  ihe  ifirnclucMons  of  Albert  "Ro«ii  and  t*<«»«e  «l 
tome  of  ilie  »•  n  atii>n.<l  »  riiers  i.f  leceiii  •'ate.  Wiich  he  uc|iici-  vice  he  doer,  ii  wuh  an 
•rii^'ic  tmich,  liiit  he  iirver  makes  it  aiiraciivo,  ^>  r.  Ris^  •  raiiiatic  lukiio'cu  aie  »iiul|||^: 
Hw  thar^Cieu  become  la  hii  liuuJi  iiviiis;,.  luuving  Ciejaircs  "  ' /' 


thou  Shalt  Not. $i  do 

His  Private  Character i  oo 

Speaking  uf  Ellen i  oq 

Her  Husband's  Friend i  oo 

The  Garston  Bigamy .......  I  oo 

Thy  Neighbor's  Wife i  oo 

Young  Miss  Giddy i  oo 

Out  of  Wedlock     i  oo 

Young  Fawcett's  Mabel. ...  i  oo 

His  Foster  Sister i  oo 


In  Stella's  Shadow $i  QO 

Moulding  a  Maiden i  oo 

Why  I  *m  Single 1  op 

An  Original  Sinner I  oo 

Love  at  Seventy i  oo 

A  Black  Adonis ^,.  \oi> 

Love  Gone  Astray i  oo 

Their  Nforriage  Bond l  oo 

A  New  Sensation  {New) . . , .  i  oo 


John  Esten  Cooke's  Works. 

*' Tl>e  thrilling  bin'o  icMoiirsof  John  F.«<en  CooWA  mii-'t  h?  cla««ed  amonc  ihei 
■nd  mo-l  POHULAK  of  all  Ainer.can  wn  eis.  I'h  !  gre.it  c4n  et  between  iheSiate^  wi»  tha 
theme  he  ch<me  I  r  i  ih  Hi  lotic  Koiiia  C<;%.  KoHowiiik  uiiiil  ihe  cl<>>e  of  ihe  Mar  ihefoi* 
tiliifHufS  nan.  Ashby,  .lHck>on  ;<n<l  l.rr.  le  tt-iii'n- <1  i\ii'  Ka«lt 's  .\'e«i,'hi«  hi  hbai-. 
Where,  in  tiinqiliecof  p>:ac.3,  he  wruie  vol.ime  afirr  volunm^  l.iieii.>e  in  d.umaiic  illteiekt,*' 


Surry  of  Eagle's  Nest Si  50 

Fairfax i  50 

Hilt  to  Hilt 1  50 

Beatrice  Hallam' i  50 

Leather  and  Silk i  50 

Miss  Bcnnybcl.  i  50 

Out  of  the  Foam i  50 


Hammer  a>id  Rapier \%\  50 

Mohun...,.\. 150 

Captain  Ralph I  50 

Col.  Ross  of  Piedmont...  .  i  50 

Robert  E.  Lee i  50 

Stonew  all  Jackson i  50 

Her  Majesty  the  Queen ....   1.50 


vA  ?"■''. 


A.  8.  Roe's  Novels. 

"  There  !i  no  writer  of  the  present  H  ly  who  exceU  A.  S.  Roe.  In  hll  partlet4f«rTrW4  of 
ietion.  tie  i«di>iini(uithrd  by  hit  fid- liiy  to  natme,  hit  frredom  from  affeciaiion.  hU 
•vmp^tby  with  the  int'-resMot  e»ery<lay  ejtm'— "-  "■"'  '••."'—■>>  o../4  ...»..^,i...  «* /l_ii__ 
HU  (lOiieH  appeal  to  the  heart,  andKtrengthr 


True  to  the  Last, $1  50 

A  Long  Look' A  head 150 

The  Star  and  the  Cloud. ...   i  50 
I've  Been  Thinking i  50 


JS 


To  Love  and  To  Re  Loved..f  I  50 

Time  and  Tide j  50 

Woman  Our  Angel « r.  ,f  150 

Looking  Around ^\ 


ons. 


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How  Could  He  Help  It i  50 

tJke and  Unlike.. 150 


The  Cloud  on  the  Heart. 
Ilesolution »..., 


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ted  amonc  iho  afur 
II  iheSi«te«  wiH.ttie 
of  il>e  war  ihefiii- 
e>i.'  Iii«  l<l  liboi". 
1  d.amaiic  inteioki,'' 

ier \%\  50 

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mont...  .  I  50 

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}ueen....  150 

from  afleclaiinn.  I>lt 
kinceriLy  of  (eeiingi 

{e  Loved..$(  50 

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el.  •  •  •  •  4y«,  f  50 

Heart. ...  i  50 

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